The Hopkins women’s basketball team has had a very successful season, currently holding a record of 16-6 with only two games left in the regular season. Last Wednesday, sophomore Katie Clark helped to secure the team another win. She had a career day, finishing with her highest amount of points, rebounds and assists in a single game in her college career. She helped lead the Lady Jays to a 61-55 victory in a close game against Gettysburg after coming back from an injury. For her performance last week, The News-Letter is proud to announce Katie as our selection for Athlete of the Week.
The News-Letter: You earned a career day, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. What allowed you to have so much success this game?
Katie Clark: To be honest I really didn't have any idea during the game that I was having the kind of statistical game that I was. I knew that my shot felt good, and so I kept shooting when I got good looks at the basket. But really I was just trying to play hard and do my job out there on the court, which as a point guard includes creating shots for my teammates. Coach Funk had emphasized the importance of out-rebounding them, and I think that just gave me an even bigger desire to play aggressive and get rebounds since they did out-rebound us the first time we played them.
N-L: It was a close game against Gettysburg, what did Coach Nancy Funk say to keep everyone motivated?
KC: I think that we were all incredibly motivated to win that game, especially down the stretch. At this point in the season, every game is huge for us in determining who gets to host the Centennial Conference tournament. Coach Funk just kept our heads in the game and made sure that we stuck to our game plan rather than letting the other team fluster us, especially at the end of the game.
N-L: This was your first game coming back from your injury, how did you go into this game differently?
KC: This was my first game back after having suffered a concussion in the game at Haverford. I think what really helped me was the fact that I didn't approach this game any differently. Since I was feeling completely back to normal, it was almost as if the thought didn't cross my mind that I had just had a concussion not too long ago until after the game was over. I think that if I had thought too much about it, I would have played much more timidly.
N-L: Your team is currently 13-3 in the Centennial Conference, how does this record give the team confidence heading into the coming post-season?
KC: I think that our record gives our team a great amount of confidence coming into the post season. I think our wins reinforce the fact that when we play together we experience success. However, I think that it is actually our conference losses that give us the most drive coming into the post season. From these we have seen just how important it is to not take any game lightly and to play our best every night.
N-L: What team goals have you guys met thus far, and what can you hope to improve upon as the regular season draws to a close?
KC: I think that our team has met many goals as the season has progressed just as we have learned to play together and have been working hard every day in practice and in games. One of our ultimate goals from the very beginning of the season was to win a conference championship and have a far run in the NCAA tournament. As a team, we are still striving together for that goal as we continue to get one game closer to making that a reality.
N-L: What personal goals have you set for yourself?
KC: This season I personally really wanted to settle into my role on this team, although at the beginning of the season I didn't quite know what that would look like. I think that ultimately the biggest goal for me was to be the best teammate that I could be. I quickly realized that I was playing much better basketball when I stopped focusing on myself and just focused on how I could help the team. So for me, that has meant not looking at any of my stats, and just playing basketball because it is what I love to do.
The Hopkins women’s basketball team will return to the court Feb. 19 for their last home game in the regular season against McDaniel and Senior Night. They look to secure another critical conference win heading into the conference playoffs.
