4A BOYS ALL-STATE: 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.”

 

 

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 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg
Anthony Marshall, Mojave          G    6-3     Sr.     25 ppg, 6 apg, 5 rpg, 3 bpg
Austin Morgan, Reno                   G   5-11    Sr.    21 ppg, 4.7 apg, 45% 3pt 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 rpg, 5.5 spg
Johnathan Loyd, Bishop Gorman  G    5-9     Jr.    14.2 ppg, 6 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 apg, 4 spg
Duke Williams, Hug                          G    6-0    Sr.    17.7 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.4 spg

THIRD TEAM

Player, School                                     Pos    Ht       Yr    Stats/Highlights
Marcus Falley, Durango                         G    6-3      Sr.    21.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.5 apg
Keith Fuetsch, Bishop Manogue           G    6-0      Sr.    16 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.8 spg
Tre Johnson, Hug                                    C    6-6      Jr.    14.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3 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