To make matters worse, senior guard Charles Bennion re-dislocated his right shoulder the following day at practice. The loss of both a “solid contributor”, as Coach Beeten acknowledged Bennion as well as the game the previous day, sparked the Chargers’ streak to erupt again, as they have gone 8-0 since that defeat.

 

Junior forward Dylan Hafen said this prior to yesterday’s victory over Faith: “We’ve worked hard in practice, focusing on the things we didn’t execute the first time around. It’s senior night too, and there’s nothing more that we want than to win this game for our seniors.”

 

The omen vocalized by Hafen rang true, and in large fashion.

 

Clark started three of the team’s five seniors. Colby Jackson, Carter Olsen, and Ty’rek Wells all took to their regular assignments as leaders in the starting lineup alongside Keyshaun Webb (11), and Darius Jackson (11). Wilson Samuel came off the bench as a sixth man.

 

 According to head coach, Chad Beeten, the atmosphere was electric within the gym. Fans gathered from both schools on opposite sides. Despite the large presence of Faith Lutheran alumni, parents, and students, they would not be heard too often during this game. The opening tip made a statement that the Chargers rode with all the way to the final play of the first half. Darius Jackson tipped the ball to Colby Jackson who found a streaking Ty’rek Wells for the halfcourt alley oop, two-hand flush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chargers never lost the lead during the game.

 

An unlikely hero showed up for Clark in the form of freshman sharpshooter James Bridges. Bridges came into the game and knocked down three of his five attempts from downtown. The crowd responded to the first three with a “He’s a freshman” chant. After the third successful shot, “Still a freshman” rang from The Stampede, the Clark student section.

 

“It felt really great to see my son out there enjoying himself,” said Bridges’ father. “Coming to Clark was a big transition for us all. He’s been having a great year so far and after tonight, I’m glad he’s a Charger.”

 

The first half was capped off by a buzzer-beating three dialed in by Jackson which sent the arena into a frenzy. From there on out, the Chargers did not face too much trouble in securing their first place title in the Sunset League, Division 1-A.

 

The player-of-the-game was Colby Jackson. The senior went 10-11 from the free throw line and accumulated 21 points, five assists and two steals to propel Clark to its’ ninth win in a row.

 

Due to the success of their season, Clark is rated a top-seed in the upcoming Division 1-A Southern Region tournament as they will take on #4 Virgin Valley, Tuesday, February 17th at 6 p.m.

 

This season has not been an easy one for the Chargers, after losing multiple players and consequently more games than they are comfortable with, this win comes at a vital time. It’s time for the third run at the Division 1-A state title in three years.

 

Senior guard Carter Olsen says, “We are ready.”