Clarkston vs Warren De LaSalle Preview.

Written Thursday March 22nd at 2:05 PM

Lets see heading into Friday's Class A State Semifinal this is how I see things going.

Warren De LaSalle comes into Friday holding a 19-7 record overall and coming off a big 63-58 win over their Catholic League rival Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit at Callahan Hall on the campus of the University of Detroit Mercy.

The Pilots are a well coached team under legendary coach Greg Esler.

Warren De LaSalle is a Senior heavy team and features some talent in Luke Pfromm and Kole Gjonaj. Pfromm whom is a guard had a big game against the Cubs scoring 21 points in it's quarterfinal game. Gjonaj is a big power forward whom likes to get rebounds as well.

Clarkston comes in at 24-1 after blowing out Flint Carman Ainsworth 52-31 at Grand Blanc feature a Senior heavy team and a starting five that may be the most lethal in the State in Mr Basketball Foster Loyer, CJ Robinson, Nick Wells, Chase Wasilk, and Taylor Currie. Also they are well coached under Dan Fife.

It should be an interesting matchup in this one.

Guards.

Loyer and Robinson have been difference makers for the Wolves attack while Pfromm leads the Pilots attack. This is not even close in this one. Warren De LaSalle has no answer for Loyer or Robinson. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Forwards.

The Pilots have a bunch of 6.5 guys along with two guys in Blake Flanagan and Grant Toutant that are 6.6. Well Currie is 6.9 and Wasilk is 6.7. If Currie stays out of foul trouble then Warren De LaSalle is in big trouble here. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Bench.

Finally Dan Fife trusted his bench against Flint Carman Ainsworth using Tristen Mysen, Tieler Houston, and Hank Schimmel in their quarterfinal game. Warren De LaSalle uses a deep bench but with what Clarkston has, oh dear. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Coaching.

What a coaching matchup between Dan Fife and Greg Esler. Both of them have one State title and have been around the game for a while. Talent wise favors Fife but Esler has gotten a lot out of his team despite not having the superior talent that Clarkston has. In coaching, I trust the one that has been on Between Taormina's before. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Prediction.

This one might not even close, if Warren De LaSalle is shooting threes then they have a chance but Clarkston is on a mission, it could be a long day for the Pilots. Expect running clock here. PICK: CLARKSTON.