Kiana Clark felt out of place last season. The rising sophomore guard was moved up from the junior varsity and joined a veteran Bishop Loughlin team late in the year that went on to win the state Federation Class A title.
“First I was nervous,” Clark said. “I felt like I didn’t fit in.”
Her teammates made her feel comfortable and Clark began to blend in well with Loughlin’s up-tempo style. She became a contributor down the stretch, the team’s spark off the bench. The rising sophomore, in fact, stole an inbounds pass and hit a free throw after being fouled on a layup attempt to seal the Brooklyn school’s win over Mary Louis in the CHSAA Class A city championship game.
The 5-foot-4 Clark’s role will only expand this coming season with the graduation of starters Nyree Alston and Ayana Ratliff. Their loss leaves big holes to fill at the guard spots for the Lions, who do return Jasmine Alston, Imani Tate and Olivia Colbert.
“Next year is going to be a big year for me,” she said. “Everyone tells me I have to step up and help my four seniors.”
Her summer with the 16U NYC Warriors has been about proving herself shooting the ball and running the offense. Despite her size, Clark said she played a forward when she was younger, but you would never know it watching her carve up defenses. She is naturally a little shy, something that won’t fly playing point guard for a veteran Loughlin team. A dwindling roster pushed her to the forefront for the Warriors at this week’s USJN/Nike National Championships.
“I told her, ‘You have to learn from now how to be a leader,’” Warriors coach Michael Kotrozos said. “’There is no more waiting you have to do it now.’ A year or two at Loughlin, ‘It’s going to be you and whoever else is going to be there.’”
Lower East side native Bailey honing skills at Conn. prep school: Chyna Bailey could have been one of the next top guards to come out or Manhattan Center. She was all set to go to the PSAL school, but received a scholarship to the Loomis Chaffee, a $50,000 a year boarding school in Windsor, Conn., and her plans changed as a result.
The speedy 5-foot-7 rising sophomore guard is a tenacious defender and has demonstrated the ability to get in the lane and finish over opposing forwards. Her size allows her to see over defenses and guard different positions. She was a key contributor for the Lightning 16’s this summer, along with The Hyde School’s Cashmir Fulcher and incoming Christ the King forward Ashlie Howell.
“I’ve seen her ever since she was in seventh grade,” Manhattan Center and Long Island Lightning coach Jaywana Bradley said. “She has grown. She knows the level of basketball is different. When she first came back, she was a little bit timid. Then she got her swag back.”
Notes: Bishop Ford and Warriors guard Jill Conroy has drawn interest from Holy Family, she said, and Christ the King forward Taylor Butigian said she is being looked at by St. Thomas Aquinas. Archbishop Molloy guard Daniela Arias is being recruited by Molloy College and Queens College.