Clark receives defensive honors in Summit League
Western Illinois University Athletic Media Services
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: News
Western Illinois sophomore point guard Ceola Clark was named Summit League Defensive Player of the Year and earned first team all-conference honors, the first Fighting Leatherneck to earn the distinction in 10 years.
Clark becomes the first player in Western Illinois history to be honored with the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year accolade and the ninth player in program history to be named to the first team. The last time Western had a men's basketball player named first team was when Juan Martinez was named to the team at the conclusion of the 1999-2000 season.
Clark leads the league with 71 steals and is four away from breaking Western Illinois' program record for steals in a single season. Averaging 2.7 steals a game, Clark ranks sixth in the nation. The Gurnee, Ill., native has recorded a career-high six steals on two occasions; one this season and one last. With 121 career steals, Clark ranks fourth on Western's all-time steals list and is six away from tying the No. 3 spot.
Having recorded 20 games with point totals in double figures this season, Clark has led the Leathernecks' scoring efforts in 15 games with five games having 20 or more points.
In league-only games, Clark holds the eighth-highest scoring average (15.0) and leads the Leathernecks with a 14.0 season scoring average. As Western's offensive leader, Clark leads in nine statistical categories, including points (364), scoring average (14.0), field goal attempts (249), field goals made (118), three-point percentage (40.2), free throw attempts (106), free throws made (81), assists (86) and steals (71).
Clark and the Western Illinois men's basketball team will take on IUPUI Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the first round of the single-elimination Summit League Championships.
Clark becomes the first player in Western Illinois history to be honored with the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year accolade and the ninth player in program history to be named to the first team. The last time Western had a men's basketball player named first team was when Juan Martinez was named to the team at the conclusion of the 1999-2000 season.
Clark leads the league with 71 steals and is four away from breaking Western Illinois' program record for steals in a single season. Averaging 2.7 steals a game, Clark ranks sixth in the nation. The Gurnee, Ill., native has recorded a career-high six steals on two occasions; one this season and one last. With 121 career steals, Clark ranks fourth on Western's all-time steals list and is six away from tying the No. 3 spot.
Having recorded 20 games with point totals in double figures this season, Clark has led the Leathernecks' scoring efforts in 15 games with five games having 20 or more points.
In league-only games, Clark holds the eighth-highest scoring average (15.0) and leads the Leathernecks with a 14.0 season scoring average. As Western's offensive leader, Clark leads in nine statistical categories, including points (364), scoring average (14.0), field goal attempts (249), field goals made (118), three-point percentage (40.2), free throw attempts (106), free throws made (81), assists (86) and steals (71).
Clark and the Western Illinois men's basketball team will take on IUPUI Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the first round of the single-elimination Summit League Championships.
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