Boys’ basketball may benefit from the addition of 2 Australian brothers, though senior Anderson Clarke’s eligibility to play is being held up by the NCS office.
Already having finished 7 semesters of high school in Australia, the NCS has initially rejected the request for senior Anderson Clarke to play in the winter sports season beyond the end of his 8th semester. Anderson Clarke has already completed one semester of senior year in Australia, so once he completes a semester at Campolido, he will have technically graduated.
The younger brother, Austin Clarke, is a sophomore and doesn’t have to worry about this situation until senior year.
The basketball season starts in November during the 1st semester and continues into 2nd semester. Anderson Clarke is not happy about this decision and wishes to play for the whole season. He hopes to override the league’s decision about his eligibility. “I’ve received clearance for the 1st semester, but we are still working on clearance for the 2nd semester,” he said.
He feels he shouldn’t penalized due to this technicality. “I wasn’t breaking any rules. I came here because my dad got a job at St. Mary’s. I didn’t have a choice,” he said.
For the time being, Anderson Clarke believes that he and his brother, both towering above 6 feet, will definitely bring some height to the team and improve it.
Both Clarkes attended the recent team tryout. Anderson said, “It was tough, a lot of running, not a lot of basketball.”
Coming from the other side of the world, Anderson notices how the style of play differs between countries. “It’s kind of a different style, it’s a lot quicker and more physical. It’s a bit of an adjustment, but I’m getting there,” he said.
According to his teammates, when and if he has to leave the team, they will definitely lose a key player. Having been playing basketball for his whole life, Anderson will be a positive addition for the time being, and will hopefully put a few points up on the board, according to teammates Matt O’Reilly and Sterling Strother.
Anderson believes that he has to “go hard” at every practice, not only to improve the team, but also to impress colleges. “I’m looking to play in colleges and am already talking to some,” he said.
