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Clark Keeping Her Eyes On The Prize

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By CLIFF GILL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 3, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - As Maya Clark enters Wiregrass Ranch High later this month, her eyes are open to the new challenges ahead of her. The basketball and volleyball phenom is aware that the level of competition in high school will be more intense than what she has been accustomed to.

"I have to be ready at all times and step up my game to a higher level," she said. "Whatever I accomplished at junior high doesn't mean a thing here."

At last week's Wiregrass Ranch basketball camp, the incoming freshman demonstrated her offensive and defensive prowess, making several baskets and stealing the ball repeatedly from her opponents.

"I like the fast pace of basketball, where you can go up and down the court quickly," she said. "One of my strengths is that I can read opponents' passes. I look not only at the person with the ball; I also keep my eyes open for her teammates. If the ball handler is focusing on a specific player, that's where I anticipate the ball will go."

She leaves behind a stellar athletic career at John Long Middle School. The guard/forward led John Long to a 10-0 record, averaged more than five steals per game and was selected as the team's best defensive player.

In addition to being a member of her school team, Clark participated in the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association's basketball league.

"WCAA has helped me improve, because I played against more skilled players. Better competition helped make me better," she said.

Clark also plays against boys in her neighborhood and at her church.

"Practicing with the boys makes me tougher, because they are faster and more aggressive," she said.

Clark is also an outstanding volleyball player. The setter was selected the team's Most Valuable Player the past two years. At Wiregrass Ranch, Clark will try out for the basketball and volleyball teams.

In the classroom, Clark has been an honor student since fifth grade and graduated middle school with a 3.7 GPA. Her favorite subject is history, and she enjoys reading about the American Revolution and the Civil War.

"I have an admiration for what Americans have gone through to get where we are today," she said.

Clark's talents extend beyond sports and academics. In fourth grade, she won a speech contest at school. She has participated annually in the Chocolate Nutcracker at Eckerd Hall. In seventh grade, she won first prize in a talent show for her dance routine. She also is training to play piano in her church's orchestra.

During church services, Clark volunteers at the nursery, babysitting newborns through pre-schoolers. She also volunteers at Kidz Kraze in New Tampa, working with 6- to 12-year-olds.

"Everyone needs to have positive role models," she said. "If every child had someone encouraging them and teaching them right from wrong, our neighborhoods, our cities and our country would all benefit."

Teachers, coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at

reportercliffgill@yahoo.com or (727) 860-4903.

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