By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Brandon Pokley of Clarkston is a 6-foot-4 senior wing/guard and might be the best perimeter shooter in Metro Detroit. He scored 48 in two wins last week, including 21 in the second half of Friday's 74-54 victory at Oak Park.
Pokley has posted a season-high 27 points twice for the team, which is off to an 8-0 start. He's averaging 22.3 points per game.
“We're a tremendous defensive team. That's what we focus on most of the time,” Pokley said. “That's what our coaches have emphasized before games and during practice. We are a pretty good rebounding team. I think we're a good transition team, too. We get a lot of easy baskets that way.”
Pokley is in his third year on the varsity team after leading the Wolves to a 23-3 record last year.
“My best strengths are my shooting and scoring,” Pokley said. “I'm getting better on the defensive end. I'm also getting better on rebounding.
“But I can also shoot from anywhere on the court.”
Matt Kamieniecki, son of former Michigan and New York Yankee pitcher Scott Kamieniecki, is also contributing big for Clarkston, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.
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Wayland is off to an 8-0 start thanks in part to the talents of senior Alex Lyle.
Lyle is averaging 16 points per game and had a 33-point game in the team's second game of the season.
“(The key) is his ability to go inside and outside,” Wayland coach Mike Hudson said. “He's 6-3, but he jumps very well. Weston (Hudson) plays point so he's getting the ball to everybody and has the ability to knock down shots when he's been open.”
Weston Hudson, coach Mike Hudson’s junior son, is averaging 14 points per game.
“We have a few returning players from last year's team that was 20-3,” Mike Hudson said. “Our bench support has been terrific this year. It's been a combination of everything.”
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Zeeland East is off to an 11-0 start led by four-year standout Korey VanDussen.
“We felt we were going to have a good year. Our entire starting five is back from last year, plus seven of our top eight,” coach Mickey Cochran said. “The guys have a lot of experience and have developed a lot of poise, plus they're pretty talented. So we knew it was going to be a pretty good year.”
VanDussen is averaging 20 points per game with a high of 30 points.
“He works harder than any player I've ever coached,” Cochran said. “He's in the gym before people get there and after they leave. He's constantly working on his skills. He's a point guard and handles the ball very quick and goes to the basket very quick against the press. He passes very well and has very deep range on his shot.”
Nate Snuggerud is leading the team in rebounding with eight boards per game.
Girls Basketball Notes
* Grosse Pointe North's girls basketball team started out 1-3 but has won nine straight with all-state junior Ariel Braker back in the lineup from an injury. She has led her team to wins recently over top-ranked teams Grosse Pointe South and Saginaw Arthur Hill. Braker has reportedly been offered a scholarship by the University of Michigan.
* Carlay Stahl had 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 66-38 win for L'Anse Creuse over Port Huron this week.
* Jasmine Johnson scored 24 points in leading Union past Academy of the Sacred Heart 54-44.