One of Doyline’s most outstanding players to grace a Panther court had chosen where he will play for the next level. Doyline’s Jamaria Clark who scored over 3200 career points as a Panther will head to Lee College in Baytown, Texas. He will trade in the blue and gold for scarlet and gray.
Clark will be heading to the NJCAA Region XIV which is the same conference of local Bossier Parish Community College. Clark has ambitions of being seen by a Power 5 eventually once his stint is over with the Navigators. “They’re the program that best fits me,” Clark said. “They are talking about building a team around me as long as I put the hard work in. Hopefully, I can Power 5 after that.”.
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A Power 5 team might give a glance at the Doyline prodigy. According to MaxPreps, Clark was the 5th average scorer in the nation and top in Louisiana with 36.9 points per game. “Juicy” also had achieved over 50 points a game on seven occasions and reached a school record of 70 points in a game. Clark was also a two All-Area MVP, three-year district MVP, and made the Class B all-state team for four years.
During his signing ceremony speech, Doyline Mike Normand described Clark. “I’m telling you,” Normand said. “Most people in here don’t know how many hours he is here in the gym with his Dad drilling day after day…He’s got good DNA, he’s got good skills, but he has a work ethic that has been unmatched by anybody I’ve coached. One thing I’m going to say, he would not be denied.”. Normand goes on to thank Clark for his loyalty to our school and community. “That shows more who you are than scoring 70 points and I want you to know that I appreciate it”, said the Doyline head coach.
Although Clark is heading to the big metroplex of the Houston area, he won’t forget his roots in Doyline. “Doyline means everything to me,” Clark said. “I had so many chances to leave but I didn’t want to leave. I want to leave my legacy here. I want to show everyone that you can make it out of here without leaving.”
One of Clark’s favorite memories at Doyline was bringing a state title back to the Webster Parish town. This was the first state title since 1967.
Not only is Clark a lifer in Doyline, but his family is also part of the Panther history. His dad, Roderick Clark, Sr., was part of the 2001 state runner-up squad and also his assistant coach at Doyline. “Juicy” has also been playing with his two other brothers Damarion and Keidric. Another Clark is coming up in youngest brother Roderick Jr.
Being his coach on the sidelines all his life, it’s going to be a different but exciting experience for Roderick Clark. “It’s going to be fun for me,” his father said. “I like to see how he deals with adversity. It’s gonna be another big step for him.”. The advice he will give “Juicy” is dropped off in Baytown, “Keep your head on the swivel and stay grounded.”
You have the Dad perspective but to a mother no matter how much of a mega-super basketball star Juicy becomes, Jamaria will always be her baby bird leaving the nest. “With me as a mother, I’m still trying to take it all in,” Tinora Clark said. “He’s the firstborn so he’s close to my heart. It’s a new beginning. He’ll do well. I think they [Lee College] have been very hands-on and let us know what’s been going on.” Her advice to her son was “Always trust your intuition and lean on the Lord.”
So watch out Houston, this cat (get it, he’s a Panther… never mind) is bringing the dawg with him. “I’m going to bring that dawg,” Clark said. “I feel like I’ve been doubted by a lot of different colleges. So I’m going to bring that dawg with me. Also winning because I’ve been doing that all my life.”
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