When he began his college search, Jeffersonville senior Kegan Clark wanted to find a basketball coach who was just like his high school coach, Tim LaGrange.
Clark discovered that person in Wright State head men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell.
On Friday in the Jeffersonville High School library, Clark officially joined forces with the Raiders’ fourth-year coach, signing a national letter of intent to play hoops at the NCAA Division I school in Dayton, Ohio, next season. Clark inked his name in front of his family, teammates and coaches.
“He’s just like Coach LaGrange,” said the 6-foot-5 forward, who expects to be a shooting guard at Wright State. “He’s real humble. He always talks about playing better.”
In a statement on wsuraiders.com, Brownell said Clark will be a valuable asset on both ends of the floor for the Raiders.
“Kegan is a very good athlete who scores well in the open floor,” Brownell said. “I also expect Kegan to become one of the more versatile defenders in our program due to his size, strength and speed.”
LaGrange thinks that Brownell’s Indiana ties and personal values make him the right mentor for Clark.
Brownell graduated from Evansville Harrison High School, got his bachelor’s degree from DePauw in 1991 and his master’s degree at the University of Indianapolis in 1994. He was a graduate assistant coach at the University of Evansville during the 1991-92 season and then was an assistant for two seasons at Indianapolis.
“He’s a Midwestern guy. He’s very humble and he’s very genuine,” LaGrange said. “You just get a real sense of family and genuineness when you are around him, and I think that’s good for Kegan.
“The size of the school, the location of the school, the quality of the basketball — when you put it all together, it’s a home run.”
Brownell’s Wright State resume impressed Clark. Brownell has a 64-33 record in his tenure at the Raiders’ helm. In his first season (2006-07), he guided Wright State to its first Horizon League Tournament championship and an NCAA tournament berth.
Under Brownell’s guidance, the Raiders have registered an unprecedented three consecutive 20-win seasons. Brownell was named the Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year in 2008.
Another thing that attracted Clark to Wright State is the school’s $5 million Setzer Pavilion/Mills Morgan Center.
The facility serves as the basketball team’s practice facility. It has a gymnasium that is available to players 24 hours a day. Also, the facility has the coaches’ offices, a players’ lounge and film room.
“You can be there at 2 o’clock in the morning if you want to go shoot and work on your game,” Clark said. “They also have an athletic trainer you can work with at the facility. He can help you get your strength up.”
Now that his college choice is official, Clark is ready to get his senior season going at Jeff. The Red Devils have high expectations this season after posting an 18-5 record last year. Their goals include winning the Hoosier Hills Conference and the Class 4A Seymour Sectional.
“I wish it started today. I’m ready to go,” Clark said. “We plan on having a lot of tournament success.”
Clark County Sports
Clark finds right fit with Wright State, Brownell
Jeff senior signs letter of intent to play at D-I school next year
- Clark County Sports
-
-
GIRLS' HOOPS: Borden, New Wash advance in Borden sectional
Sectional hosts Borden and New Washington both advanced Friday to set up an all-Clark County 2A sectional final today with wins over Rock Creek and South Central, respectively.
-
GIRLS' HOOPS: Providence falls to Paoli, 55-39 GIRLS' HOOPS: Providence falls to Paoli in Class 2A Sectional
After falling behind early, the Providence Pioneers scrapped and clawed their way back. Unfortunately that was required on one occasion too many, and the Pioneers fell to Paoli 55-39 in the semifinals of the Class 2A Pekin Sectional.
-
HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING: Manger places in the top 16 at state
New Albany’s Hannah Manger will get one more chance to compete this season after making the top 16 in two events at the preliminary round of the IHSAA State Swimming Championship Meet.
- SPORTS IN BRIEF: Feb. 11, 2012
-
CLARK-FLOYD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Parkview wins eighth-grade title game; Highland Hills takes seventh-grade crown
Highland Hills’ seventh-grade boys and Parkview’s eighth-graders each won Clark-Floyd Tournament championships Thursday at Silver Creek Middle School.
The Highland Hills’ seventh-graders outscored Parkview 12-3 in the final 2:42 for a 34-31 victory. Parkview’s eighth-graders also earned a come-from-behind triumph with a 21-5 fourth quarter to avenge their only loss of the season, 63-50 over Silver Creek. -
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Jeff claims a share of HHC title at Jennings, 57-55
The Jeffersonville boys’ basketball team captured a piece of its first Hoosier Hills Conference championship since the 2005-06 season on Thursday night, winning at Jennings County 57-55.
-
BOYS' BASKETBALL: Pirates take down North Harrison, 64-47
Being out of contention for a Mid-Southern Conference title, the Charlestown Pirates took a big step in preparation for sectional play on Thursday with a 64-47 victory over visiting North Harrison.
-
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL: Silver Creek, Charlestown fall in opening round
It was a rough night for Clark County teams at the Class 3A Charlestown Sectional Wednesday night. The host Pirates put up a gallant fight in Game 1 before falling to Class 3A No. 8 Brownstown Central, 45-37, while defending sectional champion Silver Creek was upset by Corydon Central in Game 2, 50-44.
-
POOLSIDE: Local accomplishment the focus at state
The likelihood of a local girl bringing home a state championship at the IHSAA State Swimming Championship meet in Indianapolis this Friday and Saturday is incredibly slim.
-
BOYS' BASKETBALL: Clarksville cruises past Trinity Lutheran
Aidan McEwen scored 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds to power Clarksville past Trinity Lutheran at home on Wednesday, 59-33.
- More Clark County Sports Headlines
-
