BOYS BASKETBALL: Rochester Adams upsets two-time defending state champion Clarkston
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
LAKE ORION — Brad Crighton hesitated to call Monday’s Division 1 pre-district win by Rochester Adams the biggest in school history, but he didn’t shy away from the importance of the triumph, either.
Unranked Adams, the OAA White Division champion two years removed from a winless 0-21 season, stunned two-time defending Class A state champion and second-ranked Clarkston, 38-37, in a state tournament opener at Lake Orion High School, advancing the Highlanders in a six-school district that features three conference champions and a league runner-up.
“I can only recall the time I played in the 90s, and the last three years, but in those times, for me, yes. But the gap, I’m not sure. But it was a great win,” smiled Crighton, a former starting point guard for the Highlanders (1993-96).
Adams (18-3) led for most the final three quarters and routinely took Clarkston — the 13-time OAA Red Division champion and owners of a stellar 17-game win streak — out of its comfort zone en route to upsetting the high-powered Wolves.
Clarkston freshman guard Fletcher Loyer missed a potential game-winning three-pointer from NBA range, as the shot caromed dangerously off the heal of the rim and bounced high and away with two seconds left.
“We played smart, we played patient and didn’t take a lot of bad shots,” said Crighton. “And I would say that we played them physical a little bit. We knew we had to stop (Clarkston 7-foot junior Matt Nicholson) and keep him away from the basket because within three feet he is automatic. But we didn’t allow him to get the ball inside much and I think a lot of what they try to do offensively goes through him. We took them out of their game. It worked.”
The win moved Adams into Wednesday’s 7 p.m. district semifinals against host Lake Orion.
Adams led 35-28 with 1:41 left following a wide-open layup by junior forward Payton Prieskhorn following a long outlet pass from sophomore guard Ethan Emerzian.
Clarkston responded with a 7-3 run down the stretch, including a leaning three-pointer from senior guard Jake Jansen with 11.0 ticks remaining.
Adams freshman guard Gunner Walters missed the front-end of a one-and-one situation with 9.3 seconds left, Clarkston’s Nicholson grabbed a rebound and got the ball to Loyer, who missed the shot at the end by just a couple of inches.
“It’s been phenomenal. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. I was proud of that group two years ago, too. They battled every game for me,” said Crighton. “But it shows the character of the team I have. They’re very confident and ready to play whoever is in front of us.”
Adams slowed the pace down, worked patiently for quality shots and played Clarkston physically. The recipe worked to perfection.
Clarkston led 5-3 late in the first quarter and 12-10 early in the second period after freshman forward Mike DiPillo converted a lay-up with 6:53 to go in the second frame.
Senior forward Jake Schuler’s three-pointer from the corner gave Adams a 13-12 lead with 6:04 to go in the second quarter and the Highlanders never trailed again.
The Highlanders led 18-14 at the half and 28-23 through three quarters of play.
Emerzian had a fine floor game with nine points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Schuler added nine points and seven rebounds, Prieskorn followed with seven points and four rebounds, and Walters had eight points and four assists for the Highlanders.
A Loyer three-pointer tied the game at 28-28 with 6:45 remaining in the fourth quarter for Clarkston. The Wolves outscored 14-10 in the final frame but could never get over the hump in losing in the pre-district round for the first time since the 1980s.
Previously, Clarkston had lost in the district semifinals in 1993 and 2013 and the district finals in 2012, but had captured district crowns in 23 of 26 seasons and 28 in 31 campaigns.
Nicholson was held scoreless in the first half and finished the night with just six points, eight rebounds, six blocks and two steals for Clarkston. Jansen scored eight with six rebounds, freshman guard Keegan Wasilk had eight points, four assists and four boards, and Loyer scored seven during the Wolves’ lowest postseason output in decades.
Clarkston graduated 11 of 16 players off last season’s state title team, including all five starters, and eight players currently playing college athletics.
After losing the first two games of the season by a combined 11 points, Clarkston reeled off 17 straight wins despite being tabbed as a major rebuilding job and losing legendary coach Dan Fife to retirement.
“I was definitely proud of these kids this year,” sighed first-year Clarkston coach Tim Wasilk to retirement. “With all of the new players, all the new starters, fresh faces in the lineup, and for our kids to stick together on both ends of the floor and to have such great chemistry is a credit to the guys. We didn’t want to go out this way, but it was a fun year.
“It just wasn’t our night tonight,” added Wasilk. “Adams outplayed us, and we just didn’t make the big plays, make the big shots. Credit to Adams.”
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