A Golden Effort by Clarke

It's tough seeing a teenager cry - but this time, it was tears of joy for Julian Clarke.

Who is he?

Well, a celebrity - or close to it - now at his high school. That's Toronto's Oakwood Collegiate.

Emotionally-drained, this sensational basketball player - with his father coaching, his mother, aunt and grandmother watching - electrified an appreciative crowd at the Ontario quad-A basketball final hosted by Durham College in Oshawa.

I have seen many high school basketball players do well. But Clarke, in a clutch situation, really rises to the top helping his team beat St. Thomas More of Hamilton 47-34.

Held scoreless in the first quarter. Two points in the second. Connecting on a free throw in the third. He saved his best for his final quarter as a high school player. He took over what had been a boring defensive game. Get this, five consecutive three-point baskets - and from different parts of the court - to rally his team from a deficit, and win the Ontario gold medal. A first for Oakwood since 1993.

Clarke, rumoured to be heading to Santa Clara University in the fall (the school that Steve Nash attended), was named MVP of the game. But he would have no part of the accolades, congratulating his teammates, stripping the net in the traditional ending of a final and embracing his coach, Anthony Miller. Yes, he scored the last basket of the game and grabbed the final rebound too.

On the topic of champs, a shoutout to Toronto's Martingrove Collegiate.They, too, had a golden night. Indeed, the Bears beat highly touted St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Oakville top-ranked team in a buzzer beater for the triple-A championship in Kingston. Steven Manojlovic grabbed a rebound and tossed in a three-footer for the winning points, 56-54.

Comments

[Hoops Fan]

Double gold for Toronto.
And nothing for Eastern Commerce or Mother Teresa or Henry Carr.
Feed proud Oakwood and Martingrove.

[Johnny B.]

Julian Clarke. He's the best and my hero.

[M. Grant]

I know the people in Durham wanted to have their teams in the final to draw a crowd and make some money at the door. I was just disappointed that the turnout for a final was so bad. I have been to many OFSSA championships and the crowds were larger. They packed the gym. This was a boring game to go along with a poor turnout. It's a shame that the locals didn't show up to see a Toronto school kick both Durham teams out.

[Allen]

Watching these two teams play five games in three days should send a message to OFSAA to wake up.
These kids are getting sick and dropping from injuries.
No more pushing so much on these kids.
It's wrong.

[Bruce]

Officiating at the game was terrible and a final that needs to draw some excitement to wake people up late in the game is disappointing. I counted 13 points in the third quarter and almost four minutes of no scoring to start the game. Too many games in a short span of time. Not a great idea and it does very little to attract fan interest.

[Frank]

You picked the right guy. Not only is he a great athlete, and has high grades in school but he's a genuine person. These are the kind of high school kids who need to be highlighted. Nice work.

[Big Al]

I was at the game and it's not often that we can see a player flick the switch and take over. He did. Terrible game for fans but Clarke certainly made up for the trip to Oshawa.

[Terry]

Great young man indeed. I saw him play - fabulous.

[Jeremiah F]

Clarke is MVP in Canada but don't forget that kid Blake, when healthy, got them to the final and will be a star next year in grade 12.

[J. Wally Kim]

I have enjoyed the Star's coverage of these basketball playoffs both in the paper and on the website. It's unfortunate that you couldn't be in two places at the same time and give us the same coverage for the big win by Martingrove out in Kingston. Your blog is very good and I find it keeps me in tune with what is happening and both good and not so good. I can also see that teachers and coaches get their nose up when you do things they don't agree with and to that I say - ignore them. They should know better too. These people need to understand how to deal with criticism and tough times and not be malicious and pretend they can dictate to everyone. They are only hurting students.

[P. Morris]

This young man is well deserving and has some great family to help him reach his goals. People can learn a great deal from him.

[Oliver]

Thank you Toronto Star.
I didn't even have to attend because you gave me everything that I needed.
Superb work!

[Rick Grace]

Love how this Grossman guy keeps promoting our kids going to school in a foreign countyr.
I myself think its a disgrace.
But seems this guy thinks Toronto is part of the US of A, the way he always mentions it in his aritlces.
But I mean Santa Clara whatever? Thats better then the U of T or Western?
I don't think so.
Time we start supporting our own dont ya think?

[Victor Lang]

One day the people at OFSAA will understand that one of the reasons for shrinking interest in amateur sports, specifically at the high schools, is OFSAA's inability to see out of the box. They refuse to take advice from people who know better and religiously stage so many playoffs at the same time even announcing them to try justify their existence. No wonder people are laughing.

[Ed]

I am a former high school athlete now at university.
We want the media coverage and don't have anywhere near the problems expressed by readers. Limit the high schools. Our door is open at York.

[Jimmy]

Who is Rick Grace and can someone teach him to read. I have seen Grosman write about players going to Canadian universities.
So pin the blame on Grossman and call him whatever because many of our best players are going to the U.S?
If Santa Clara is good enough for Canadaian NBA star Steve Nash, maybe it is good enough for this young man who clearly has his brains functioning better than Rick Grace.

[Tim Taylor]

Just reading Rick Grace, I'll put my money on Santa Clara over U of T and Western in a game anytime.

[Oliver]

I remember watching Julian's dad Norm play, and also at Oakwood, before going to Canada's National team. It's all genes, the kid has them from his parents who were both athletes. He's a great player and person.

[jerome]

When OUR universities starting offering full scholarships, then these kids will have a choice! Until then, its a no-brainer. Go to school for free or stay and pay thousands? Best of luck at Santa Clara Julian!