Costello stands tall in leading Bay City Western past Clarkston
AUBURN — Bay City Western proved that size really does matter.
Well, at least Matt Costello matters for the Warriors.
Costello, a 6-foot-9 Michigan State recruit, finished with 14 points, 12 blocked shots and 10 rebounds, a timely triple-double, in leading host Western to a 45-37 victory over perennial power Clarkston Wednesday in a Class A regional final.
Western, which captured its first-ever regional title with the win, will face Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Tuesday’s state quarterfinals at Davison.
UNHAPPY ENDING: Clarkston senior Matt Rodgers and the Wolves saw their season come to an end Wednesday in a 45-37 loss to Bay City Western in the Class A regional finals. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
Aaron Tithof added 12 points and Tyler Ellis scored seven for Western (23-2), which has established a new school record for wins in a season.
Clarkston (20-6) entered the postseason ranked 13th and Western 16th in the Associated Press Class A poll.
Marcus Hardy and Mitch Baenzinger both scored 12 for Clarkston, while Nick Tatu, Clarkston’s leading scorer this season, was held to only seven points. The Wolves, a strong three-point shooting team, made just one three-pointer in the contest and lost in the regional finals for the second straight season.
Southfield ousted Clarkston in the Sweet 16 last season, while the Wolves had reached at least the state quarterfinals every year from 2003 and 2009.
Clarkston, which won the OAA Red Division title this season, entered the game on a 14-game win streak and captured its 18th straight district crown last week.
Category: Clarkston, High School, Prep Wraps
