Thomas, Hardy lift North Farmington over Clarkston
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.- Billy Thomas and Amauri Hardy have forgotten all about the game against Clarkston (12-2, 5-1 OAA Red) on Jan. 16 when they lost 60-47. This time, Thomas and Hardy combined for 31 points as North Farmington (12-2, 5-1 OAA Red) defeated Clarkston 58-53 Friday night.
North Farmington junior guard Amauri Hardy had just two points in the first half. He then came out in the second half and added 14 for a total of 16 points.
North Farmington senior guard Billy Thomas finished with 15 points, 10 of which came in the first half. His teammates didn’t shoot the ball well in the first but he was able to keep them in it, as the score was tied 22-22 at the half.
“You got two kids in Billy (Thomas) and Amauri (Hardy) that play basketball year round,” North Farmington head coach Todd Negoshian said. “They have a good basketball IQ, Amauri came from Southfield and he knows the Clarkston rivalry, it’s been good for him.”
There were a lot of lead changes in the game. Neither team could swing momentum in their favor until Thomas hit a 3-pointer with 7:12 left in the fourth. Clarkston was never able to recover. North Farmington went on an 11-0 run to take a 12-point lead 49-37 with 4:16 left.
Clarkston cut the lead down to 52-47 with 1:43 left but were unable to get any closer after Hardy made a layup with 56.4 remaining.
“It’s a great win for us, but we need to keep going,” Negoshian said. “We need to get back in the gym because we have another league game on Tuesday.”
Alex Darden also had a good game for North Farmington. He added 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
With this win North Farmington will now move up into a first place tie with Clarkston in the OAA Red division.
“They understood that for us to stay where we needed to be in the league race then we needed this one,” Negoshian added. “I’m happy for them as a group.”
Clarkston sophomore guard Foster Loyer was a bright spot for the Wolves Friday night. He finished with 27 points and did everything he could to keep his team in the game. Loyer didn’t get much help from his team when he needed it down the stretch.
Clarkston senior forward Tabin Throgmorton was the only other player to reach double digits for the Wolves. He added 14 points, junior forward Dylan Alderson added nine points and three blocks.
North Farmington will try to extend their winning streak to seven games against Southfield-Lathrup (3-10,1-5 OAA Red) Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. Clarkston will head home to take on a tough Rochester Adams (11-2, 2-2 OAA Red) Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.