KAREEM ROZIER PUSHES OLSM TO ROAD WIN OVER CLARKSTON

CLARKSTON » Kareem Rozier thrives with the game on the line. Thursday, the Duquesne signee decimated in crunch time once again.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s linchpin senior point guard scored 24 points, dished 10 assists and collected five rebounds to lead the Eaglets to a 60-51 win against a feisty Clarkston club on the road Thursday night, showing why he’s the best pure floor general in the state.

Rozier notched 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a knifing layup through the lane in the final two minutes to make it a two-possession contest, and four straight free throws in the closing 40 seconds to sew things up for the visitors.

“Everybody knows this a tough environment to play in, so we came in with the attitude that we’re just going to go out and make shots and control our own destiny,” Rozier said. “I want the ball in my hands, I’m the quarterback. We have so many weapons and I’m either going to find them or make you pay myself.”

St. Mary’s (3-0) went ahead 38-30 at halftime courtesy of five straight points by Rozier (a 3 from the right elbow and a pullup jumper to beat the second quarter horn).

Clarkston’s backcourt tandem of senior gunners Keegan Wasilk and Nate Steinman kept the

home team scrapping and Steinman‘s seven points in a row had the Wolves only down a bucket at 46-44 with 3:02 left.

Wasilk’s two free throws once again trimmed the St. Mary’s advantage to two points, 50-48, at the 2:04 mark of the fourth, but Rozier took the ensuing inbounds pass and proceeded to go coastto-coast for a layup in traffic to give the Eaglets breathing room and the push they needed to get over the finish line.

Steinman hit for 24 points and drained 5-of-10 from 3-point range on the night. Wasilk stuffed the stat sheet for 21 points, eight assists and 13 boards.

OAA Red power Clarkston drops to 2-1 after Thursday’s defeat and was without starting small forward Des Stephens (ankle tweak).

St. Mary’s plays out of the Catholic League Central Division and is the No. 1 team in the state for the third consecutive year. Senior off-guard Javaughn Hannah (signed with Western Michigan) added 14 points in Thursday’s victory, and Eaglets’ much-heralded freshman wing guard Trey McKenney tallied a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Nathan Steinman (3) of Clarkston brings the ball up-court as Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Sharod Barnes (0) defends during the game played on Thursday. Steinman had 24points for the Wolves.

PHOTOS BY KEN SWART — MEDIANEWS GROUP Kareem Rozier (3) of Orchard Lake St. Marys drives past Clarkston’s Caleb Woodbury (13) during the game played on Thursday at Clarkston High School. Rozier had 24 points to help lead the Eaglets to a 60-51 win.