Class A Semifinal Warren De La Salle vs. Clarkston Predicitions and Key Factors
Warren De La Salle vs. Clarkston prediction:
Warren De La Salle: After losing to University of Detroit Jesuit all three times this season as well as in their past fifteen contests, it looked unlikely for this quarterfinal matchup to go to Warren De La Salle. But, the strong play of Warren De La Salle set the momentum early. They opened up to a 16-8 lead during the first quarter. Both teams battled throughout the next three quarters but Warren De La Salle never let up. Warren De La Salle won the contest 63-58. They were led by the Wayne State football commit, Luke Pfromm with 21 points as well as fellow senior starter, Easton Sikorski adding 15 points. Their senior floor general and Lake Superior State commit, Justin Fischer did a great job directing the offense and distributing the ball. This senior led Warren De La Salle team has been battle tested this season playing against the state’s best.
Clarkston: Calihan Hall at University of Detroit Mercy is far from a foreign land for Head Coach Dan Fife and his Clarkston Wolves as they have played their quarterfinals contests here there three of the past four years where they are 2-1. That may have played a factor in their triumphant 52-31 quarterfinal victory against Flint Carman Ainsworth, but maybe it was Clarkston’s two big ten commits, Foster Loyer (Michigan State) and Taylor Currie (Wisconsin), or maybe it was Clarkston’s lockdown defender, CJ Robinson. Regardless of the reasoning, Clarkston is back to the Breslin center at Michigan State University where they look to get back to the championship and repeat success. Multiple rankings had Clarkston ranked as a top 10 team nationally early on, but when the MHSAA ruled their third big ten commit ineligible for the season due to his transfer being athletically motivated, Thomas Kithier (Michigan State) and The Clarkston wolves fell out of that discussion. Regardless of this detrimental loss, Clarkston still stayed in control as the state’s top program only losing one game to East English Village. Like their semifinal opponent, they were also battle tested.
Similar opponents: Clarkston beat West Bloomfield 66-60 and 61-48. Warren De La Salle beat West Bloomfield 77-67. Clarkston beat Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 56-43 and 58-35. Warren De La Salle beat Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 63-53 and lost to them 50-49. Clarkston beat Detroit Pershing 84-50. Warren De La Salle lost to Detroit Pershing 71-64. Clarkston beat Sterling Heights Stevenson 88-37. Warren De La Salle beat Sterling Heights Stevenson 72-54.
Key Factors:
- Warren De La Salle needs to key in on this year’s Mr. Basketball, Foster Loyer. Justin Fischer needs to know what Loyer ate for breakfast. To have a chance in this matchup, Loyer needs to be smothered. Fischer needs to use his length has a 6’4 PG to contest all of Loyer’s attempts and make him feel harassed.
- Boxing out Taylor Currie and getting him out of the painted area. Currie is a strong rebounder and puts it back up easily almost every time due to his large frame.
- Clarkston needs to hold Fischer and Pfromm to under 15 a piece and they should have no problem winning. Especially Pfromm, he is a very versatile wing that has the ability to knock it down from deep and be a force down low.
- Lastly, Warren De La Salle needs to make sure that they keep tabs on Robinson as well. He is a strong scorer for Clarkston and can get hot. Loyer, Currie, and Robinson are just three of Clarkston’s offensive options. If Warren De La Salle is able to contain those three then they will have a chance. But I do not see that happening. Prediction: Clarkston.