New coach, new enthusiasm for Lady Hornets

A new year and a new coach for the Chelsea Lady Hornets is not really unusual for the girls basketball program. For varying reasons, Chelsea has seen a revolving door at the head basketball position. That’s not a criticism, but continuity is usually a plus in any sports program.

This time, however, there’s a twist: The new coach is actually a familiar face.

Clarissa Clark steps up from Chelsea Middle School to take the reins at the high school. She has coached all but two of the girls likely to be on her roster at the middle school. Her last middle school team won its conference championship. Point guard Allie Miller was on that team, and she’s likely to be the starting point guard on the varsity as a freshman. She’s looking forward to continuing to play for her coach.

“She’s really into it,” Miller said. “She makes it fun to play and practice.”

This is Clark’s first high school varsity head coaching position. The former Samford player said she is looking forward to it.

“I am excited,” Clark said. “Above all, really, I’m looking forward to mentoring these girls in their high school years as they get ready to go to college. I think it’s different from having them in seventh and eighth grade, and having them for four years is going to be exciting.”

Although she’s new to the high school, she thinks having a history with so many of the girls will be a big help.

“I know them,” she laughed. “I know their parents, I know their dogs, their cats. I know them all.”

One of the girls she didn’t know was senior Whitney Thorpe. Thorpe endured last year’s struggles when the team went 2-21 as the Lady Hornets played a lot of youngsters to build for the future. The 5-foot-10 post player was a little apprehensive at having a new coach.

“At first I was nervous, not sure what it’s going to be like,” Thorpe said. “But having met her this summer, I’m excited. This is a fresh start and I believe we’re going to be much better. She really gets involved, gets out on the court and plays and makes it a fun environment. And when you’re having fun you’re so much more comfortable.”

Clark said the Lady Hornets are going to be hard to prepare for.

“Everybody’s going to learn every position on the floor,” she said. “We’ll play some one in, four out, traditional three-two, mix it up. I do like my motion offense, but I like for the girls to see what happens on the floor and take advantage of what the defense gives us. We’ll fast break, press. I do think we have depth. We’re going to play man, zone and press on defense. That’s what we did at middle school.”

She’s high on all her players, but really likes her freshmen coming up, saying they are more aggressive. The leader of that bunch is Miller.

“She’s an all-star,” Clark said. “Plays softball, too. Great athlete. Her speed, ability to see the court and pass. Everything is fast, no slow down with her.”