Clarkston outshines the Vikes
Pokley steals the show in the second half
by Marcellus C. Miller
15 January 2008
greatlakeshoops.com
Offensive play of the night: Joemar Black’s steal and two-hand tomahawk in the second quarter.
Defensive play of the night: Black’s absolutely punishing block of Julius Porter’s shot out of bounds.
Best player on the floor: Brandon Pokley (22 points)
Biggest Surprise: Black and Mike Martin held to a combined 11 points
Mackin Road— If Clarkston came in to tonight’s game with the Northern Vikings expecting to cruise to an easy win, they got a wake up call in the first half. After jumping out to an early 17-9 lead, the Vikings made up serious ground heading into halftime by winning the second quarter 18-13, bringing the halftime score to 30-27.
I am not sure even the Vikings expected to be right in the game with one of the state’s highest ranked teams, but that’s exactly where they found themselves. As was the case against Carman-Ainsworth, Clarkston had major trouble handling the full-court press that Northern was deploying. Coach Dane Fife had a couple classic fits of anger with his players, trying to cajole them into the right positions. Coach Thomas Tucker of Northern had to feel good at the half.
“Fellas, we are right where we need to be,” he said, “but we have got to play better defensively.”
How prophetic that statement was…
In the third quarter, Clarkston made some adjustments to the press and came out firing on all cylinders, led by Brandon Pokley’s 11 points in the quarter. Pokley got on a hot streak from the outside, and really killed Northern’s defense. The young Viking squad seemed to get more and more discouraged with every shot. The usually efficient combo of Mike Martin and Joemar Black were eerily quiet tonight, finishing with only seven and four points, respectively.
Without their leaders providing the scoring, Northern could not mount a significant comeback after that. The fourth quarter was ugly for much of the first few minutes with neither team scoring and both turning the ball over. Eventually, the Wolves found the range again from the outside with starting center Tom Stanton providing the final 3-point dagger. The free throws at the end of the game provided the final margin, 71-54.
Game Notes
- What a woeful second half for the Vikings. All season they have played at the level of the elite teams for one half (sometimes first, sometimes second), only to falter in the other. It is that inconsistency that keeps this team from gaining momentum through wins. But, the talent shows in every contest. I wonder what will happen when this team grows up.
- The lone shining star for the Vikings was senior center Sam Morgan. He finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and provided a solid inside presence. He has really stepped his game up the past 4 games.
- While there may have been more heralded players on the court, Pokley was the best tonight. He shot lights out from the outside and was deadly at the line. He needs to develop a good handle, but the shot is there.
- Also for the Wolves, Matt Kaminiecki was just in the right place at the right time all night. He finished with 10 points, but several of his baskets came to break a Viking run.
- Stanton played pretty nice game tonight for Clarkston. He does not play very strong inside, but the lefty has a nice touch around the rim, and finished with 13 points.
- I am not sure Clarkston is as good as their record, but they play the complete game as well as I have seen so far this year.
- Clavonte Brown had five points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in limited action for the Vikes. If he can bring the athleticism that he brought in those minutes for an entire game, I see him earning more and more playing time.