Leaving it better than they found it

It starts and ends with the four seniors for Beth Parmer, the first-year head coach of the Oak Mountain High School girls basketball team.

Parmer is counting on Kailey Rory, Clara Fuller, Adair Klapow and Emily Cruce to establish the foundation of the Lady Eagles program. They all bring something different and valuable to the table.

“They will get us there with their experience and also their leadership,” she said.

The trio of Fuller, Cruce and Klapow has been together for quite a while, since the days of recreational basketball and middle school ball. 

Rory joined the fold in ninth grade, when she transferred to Oak Mountain from Shades Valley.

“I’m not fond of change, so when I came here in ninth grade, I did not want to be included in anything,” Rory said.

But Rory’s physical education coach convinced her to play basketball, and she instantly made the varsity roster. Fuller, Cruce and Klapow all played on the junior varsity team that season. Fuller and Cruce made the jump to the varsity squad as sophomores, and Rory has counted them as great friends ever since.

“They were so nice to me, that’s when we became best friends and our relationship has gotten stronger over the years,” Rory said.

It’s evident why Rory made the varsity team as a freshman. Parmer said “most of the girls wish they had an ounce of the ability she’s got.” From the guard position, Rory is quick, a solid decision-maker and a deft shooter.

“We would not be the same team without her,” Fuller said.

Rory has the capability to score 30 points on a given night, but the Lady Eagles are hoping to spread the scoring load throughout the team to take some pressure off Rory. One way to accomplish that is by having players like Fuller shoot the ball more.

So far this season, Fuller has shown an improved shooting touch that she says has come simply through having more confidence.

“Shots in rhythm,” said Fuller of her focus. “If I have a good shot, I don’t need to just pass it.”

Cruce is helping out in that regard as well, as the team’s primary ball-handler. She has shown the ability to post double-digit scoring efforts.

Klapow has proven to be a valuable commodity to the team, as teammates touted her leadership abilities on and off the floor. She is also one of the top students in her class.

What makes Fuller and Cruce unique is the fact that basketball is their second sport. Fuller is a pitcher and second baseman for the Oak Mountain softball team, while Cruce plays soccer and is committed to Auburn-Montgomery. That soccer identity shows up on the court sometimes, too.

“Emily is just fast and aggressive, she’s athletic,” Fuller said. “You’ll see her out there kicking balls because it’s natural to her.”

Rory said her primary goal this season is to help the Lady Eagles advance to the regional tournament, which will require the team winning a game in the Class 7A, Area 5 tournament. 

For Fuller, she hopes that the four seniors will make their mark, in a good way.

“I just want to leave it better than I received it,” she said. “I don’t want this program to plateau. I want it to be better than what it was.”