St. Clair Shores, Clawson

Still the team to beat

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

ST. CLAIR SHORES - With first place in the Macomb Area Conference Silver Division on the line, the Clawson High boys' basketball team used a suffocating defense in downing St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 47-38.

The road win gives the Trojans (11-1 overall and 7-0 MAC Silver) a two-game lead going into the second half of the league year. The loss puts the Huskies (8-4, 6-2) in a two-game hole going into the stretch run.

"We knew what winning this game meant so we came out and played as hard as we could on defense and tried to win every possession," said Clawson senior guard DeShawn Gilbert, who led the Trojans with 15 points. "We looked at it as a must win because we wanted to have some room in the league."

The Trojans' fullcourt pressing, trapping defense caused big problems for Lakeview throughout the first half, as the Huskies scored just six points in each of the first two quarters and went into the half down 23-12.

"I don't want to seem like I'm bragging, but I'm so proud of the effort those kids gave tonight," Clawson coach Billy Shellenbarger said. "They played with so much guts and heart. It's great to see they stepped up to the challenge."

Lakeview senior guard Geno Greer, the team's best on-the-ball defender, picked up two fouls early in the first quarter and was forced to sit out the rest of the half.

Huskies' coach John Carr said Greer's absence affected the team because of the senior's defensive ability, as well as his understanding of the squad's offense.

"There was a buzz in our gym because this is the biggest game we've hosted in a long time," said Carr, in his first year as Lakeview coach. "Clawson's defense gave us a lot of problems in the first half. They're a good team and they showed it tonight."

Trojans' senior forward Jalen Harrison talked about how imporant making hustle plays was for his squad. Throughout the game, it looks like Clawson came up with all the loose balls.

That Trojans' defense held Huskies junior swingman Robert Shields to 15 points - five below his season average. Lakeview in the fourth quarter scored more points (20) than it had through the first three quarters (18).

The teams meet again at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Clawson

"Even with the loss, I think we showed we belong in the upper echolon of our league," Carr said. "And we plan on staying there. Hopefully we win out and a couple teams knock off Clawson and the rematch is for the league title."

The win for the Trojans capped off a week where they took out their two toughest competitors in the MAC Silver - the Huskies and Marysville High, which Clawson shared the league title with last season.

"We've still got a lot of basketball left to play, but going 2-0 this week was huge," Shellenbarger said. "That's why I'm so proud of how my guys played tonight. They were relentless. They showed the heart of a champion."

Clawson next tips off at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 in a home matchup with Clinton Township Clintondale.

Lakeview will look to bounce back from the loss when it tips at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at Marine City High.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107.