Clark’s shift into high gear keys Sundevils’ playoff run

Baseball pitchers often make a living by changing speeds.

Eldorado basketball standout Mitrell Clark was a master at changing speeds this season, as well. But instead of taking a little speed off, Clark found a higher gear.

"He's always been able to do that. He can change the speed he plays at," Sundevils coach Michael Uzan said. "He can go fast and then go faster."

Clark's speed was just one asset, and his overall talent led to his selection as the Class 4A Player of the Year by the Review-Journal.

A 5-foot-10-inch senior point guard, Clark was an integral part of Eldorado's trip to the Class 4A state semifinals this season. A dominant scorer throughout the season, Clark was even better in the postseason.

Clark scored 119 points in four postseason games, including a 51-point effort in the Sunrise Region semifinals against Desert Pines.

"Stepping up is nothing new for Mitrell," Uzan said. "He was doing it last year as a junior. He did it a lot this year. It definitely tells me he can do it at the next level and have success at the next level."

Clark had a reputation as a 3-point shooter, and Uzan said Clark's ability to stretch defenses made the rest of the team better.

"When you have to guard the perimeter, it just opens everything up inside," Uzan said. "Being that we had that threat, it just complemented the other players on the team.

"He's just a great shooter."

But teams knew about his ability to make deep shots, forcing Clark to expand his game as a senior. In the 51-point game against Desert Pines, Clark pushed the ball from end to end, consistently going to the basket and either finishing or getting fouled.

"Attacking the basket is something we talked about all year long," Uzan said. "Just living on the outside wouldn't do. Everybody knew that he could shoot."

Despite standing just 5-10, Clark had an uncanny ability to finish in traffic near the basket.

"He's got a lot to prove, and he feels like that every time," Uzan said. "He plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. And if he smells blood, he's going to finish. He's got the killer instinct. We were fortunate to have had him."

Clark was joined on the Review-Journal's all-state first team by Silverado's Wade Collie, Desert Pines' Pierre Jackson, Cheyenne's Elijah Johnson, Mojave's Anthony Marshall and Reno's Austin Morgan.

Contact Prep Sports Editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.

2008-09 LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL ALL-NEVADA BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Player, School Pos. Ht. Yr. Stats/Highlights

Mitrell Clark, Eldorado G 5-10 Sr. 29.8 ppg in postseason

Wade Collie, Silverado F 6-5 Sr. 22.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.5 apg

Pierre Jackson, Desert Pines G 5-10 Sr. 21.2 ppg, 7.5 apg

Elijah Johnson, Cheyenne G 6-4 Sr. 17.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.0 apg

Anthony Marshall, Mojave G 6-3 Sr. 25.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg

Austin Morgan, Reno G 5-11 Sr. 21.0 ppg, 4.7 apg, 45% 3-pt FG

SECOND TEAM

Kylel Coleman, Bishop Gorman G 6-0 Sr. 14.1 ppg

Bobby Hunter, Bishop Manogue G 5-10 Jr. 21.8 ppg, 6.3 apg, 4.0 rpg, 5.5 spg

Johnathan Loyd, Bishop Gorman G 5-9 Jr. 14.2 ppg, 6.0 apg

Moses Morgan, Palo Verde F 6-5 Jr. 17.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 spg

Demetric Williams, Cheyenne G 6-2 Sr. 17.8 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.0 spg

Duke Williams, Hug G 6-0 Sr. 17.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.4 spg

THIRD TEAM

Marcus Falley, Durango G 6-3 Sr. 21.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.5 apg

Keith Fuetsch, Bishop Manogue G 6-0 Sr. 16.0 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.8 spg

Tre Johnson, Hug C 6-6 Jr. 14.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.0 bpg

Milos Knezevic, Liberty F 6-8 Sr. 21.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg

Taelor Marchbanks, Spanish Springs G 5-11 Sr. 14.2 ppg, 4.1 apg

D.J. Stennis, Palo Verde G 5-11 Sr. 8.4 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 spg