Dan Fife and the town of Clarkston can finally celebrate a State Championship in Boys Basketball.
Clarkston whom was ranked third in the State stunned top
ranked and previously undefeated Grand Rapids Christian with a 75-69 victory in the Class A State Final at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State, giving Fife and the Wolves their first ever State title.
Foster Loyer led all scorers with 29 points, Taylor Currie had
16 points and 10 rebounds, CJ Robinson had 14 points, and Dylan Alderson had 12
points for Clarkston.
The Wolves out-rebounded the Eagles 26-21 which was shocking
and they out-rebounded Grand Rapids Christian from the offensive glass 11-8. The
Eagles have two Division One recruits in forwards Xavier Tillman and James Beck.
Both of them had a combined 13 rebounds.
Clarkston sealed the deal as they were 21 for 25 from the
free throw line and forced 10 turnovers from Grand Rapids Christian.
Fife moved from Southern Illinois to Clarkston in the 1950’s. He played
for Bud McGrath back in the 1960’s and then went to Michigan to play College
Basketball and then came back to Clarkston in 1983 to become the head coach and Athletic Director. Fife has been coaching for 35 seasons, including this season and stepped down as Athletic Director this year.
Fife in his 35 seasons as led Clarkston to 28 league titles, 29 district championships, 12 regional championships, and two final four appearances. He can now add a State title to the ranks.
Fife in his 35 seasons as led Clarkston to 28 league titles, 29 district championships, 12 regional championships, and two final four appearances. He can now add a State title to the ranks.
Tillman had 25 points, Dwayne Washington had 16 points, and
Setrick Millner had 11 points to lead the Eagles. Beck was hampered by foul
trouble was limited to eight points before fouling out.
The Wolves finished the season at 27-1 while the Eagles
finished its season at 27-1.
Thoughts.
This was a great win for Clarkston and their community. Also
for coach Dan Fife as well, it cements his legacy and now he can put State
Championship to the banner at Clarkston. He is one win away from passing former
Detroit Country Day coach Kurt Keener for fourth all time in wins (677-169.)
I think the play that changed the complexion of the game was
Robinson’s shot at the buzzer in the second quarter. When the Eagles got the
score down to three 32-29, Robinson hit a floater
Clarkston will be scary again next season. They return
Loyer, Robinson, Currie, Nick Wells, Waslik, and Mysen. The Wolves lose
Alderson whom will be heading to Milwaukee. Also, Clarkston has a deep bench
returning as well, not to mention a solid Junior Varsity team back as well.
Today was a great day for Clarkston, they finally got the
monkey off their backs.
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