How times have changed.
Clare’s boys basketball team hasn’t been outright champions of the Jack Pine Conference since 1992. But this was the season of the Pioneers who are 12-0 and have only two league games remaining against teams that have been struggling, Harrison and Farwell, to finish out a perfect season in the league.
The Pioneers are 17-1 and have been ranked fifth in the state in Class C in Associated Press polls.
Clare clinched the league title outright with a 54-46 victory over Meridian Friday night. Two years ago Clare shared the title. But it’s the first time since since 1992 that the Pioneers have won it outright.
Clare was up 10-9 after the first quarter, 24-13 at halftime and 37-25 after the third quarter.
Shane Adkins scored 16 points and had eight rebounds while Taylor Vida had 15 points and four assists. James Wezensky, the 6-foot-8 senior center, added 10 points and 12 blocks.
“They jumped out to a 9-2 lead,” said Clare coach Rob Wise. “It was 9-2 with three minutes left in the first quarter. We went on a 22-4 run to finish the half. We picked up our defensive intensity. We started to move the ball well, drive the lane and get some baskets.”
The Pioneers were also ranked fifth in the state in last week’s Associated Press Class C poll.
Clare is 17-1 and 12-0 in the Jack Pine.
“It shows that your (senior) class has bought into everything that’s going on,” said coach Rob Wise. “They have a great record since they’ve been here. They have two conference championships now and a district championship. They’ve hung around, have listened and have gotten better.”
The Pioneers won a district title last season. To win another one, they’ll have to survive a rematch with McBain, which is smarting from its earlier loss to the Pioneers.
On Feb. 14, the Pioneers defeated Harrison 83-38. Clare led 28-4 after the first quarter and 43-11 at halftime, plus 63-28 after the third quarter. Clare had a 20-10 scoring advantage in the final quarter.
Adkins totaled 23 points and 11 rebounds for Clare while James Wezensky had 13 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
Clare had a 53-22 rebounding advantage.
“It was a good all-around game for us,” Wise said.
Adkins’ 23 points was a season high for him.
“I was going to the basket a lot,” Adkins said of the Harrison game. “I’ve been pretty happy with the season. I’m playing better defense and rebounding the ball better than I have in my career. I had to pick up on the rebounding.”
McBain is the defending state runners-up and the Pioneers realize they’ll probably have to beat them again to win another district. But Clare has proven it can beat the Ramblers.
“They’re a physical team,” Adkins said. “We have to play hard-nosed defense. They’re going to want come back against us, but we know we can beat them.”