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Sudden impact
Page, Clarke having big freshman campaigns


 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 12/19/2008  2:27 AM
Last Modified: 12/19/2008  2:48 AM

 Last season, as he led Pawnee to the Class 2A state title, Keiton Page set state records by averaging 44.4 points and finishing the season with 1,287 points.

In the process of driving Verdigris to the Class 3A crown, Rotnei Clarke averaged 40.8 points and became Oklahoma's career scoring leader with 3,758 points.

They were the Tulsa World's state co-players of the year, but one question persisted: How would these small-school guards — both considered undersized with Page at 5-foot-10 and Clarke at 6-0 — fare in Division I college basketball?

Through the first several weeks of their freshman seasons, Page and Clarke have performed well.

As OSU's backup point guard, Page averages 10.6 points while connecting on 40 percent of his 3-pointers.

In Wednesday's 104-74 triumph over Mercer in Stillwater, he scored 11 points during a span of only three minutes and 12 seconds. In the 2A title game in March, he scored 54 points.

"The kid can play, man," first-year Cowboy coach Travis Ford said. "He just keeps getting better and better. He's figuring things out. I'd put him up against any freshman in the country."

As Arkansas' starting shooting guard, Clarke averages 31 minutes and 14.3 points. From 3-point range, he is 25-of-55 (45 percent). On free throws, he is 15-of-15. On Wednesday, with 1:48 left to play, he sank a 3-pointer that quelled an Austin Peay rally and led Arkansas to an 89-80 victory.

"I've put in a lot of time and hard work on my
shot," Clarke said. "I feel like I'm going to succeed every time I get a shot like that."

Said Razorback coach John Pelphrey: "For a first-year guy, you never know how the adjustment is going to be. Rotnei is an incredible long-range shooter."

While in middle school, Page and Clarke were teammates on an undefeated team at Yale. Their friendship has been sustained, and they exchange text messages after every game.

While Page never wavered in his commitment to attend Oklahoma State, Clarke considered Oklahoma, OSU, Kentucky, the University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts, Gonzaga and several other schools before signing with Arkansas.

"I feel so blessed," Clarke said. "This is where I'm supposed to be."

Clarke's father, Conley, was ORU's director of basketball operations last season. Conley now works at an athletic training facility in Fayetteville.

Rotnei's sister Cassie, who also had been a basketball star at Verdigris, now plays for Fayetteville High School.

Rotnei's head coach at Verdigris was his uncle, Kelly Clarke. Kelly now coaches the Yukon High School girls' team.

Running with Rotnei Clarke in the Arkansas backcourt is another outstanding freshman, Courtney Fortson. On Dec. 30, the Razorbacks (7-1) host fourth-ranked OU at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

"I know there was a lot of debate on how Rotnei's game would translate to college basketball, and I thought that he would be better than most people (expected)," Sooner coach Jeff Capel said. "No. 1, the kid can really shoot the ball. When you can really shoot, that works on any level. And No. 2, he understands how to play. Very high basketball IQ. You add those two things, and that gives you an edge.

"And he also has intangibles. He's a little taller and quicker than you think he is. I think he has a desire to be really good, so I'm not surprised with the success that he's having."

Though 19 years old, the baby-faced Page could pass for 16. His teammates have jabbed him with several nicknames, including Squirt, Little Man and Country Boy.

"I asked (Page), 'Did you get skipped up a couple of grades?' I asked him today, 'How old are you for real, man?' " OSU guard Terrel Harris said. "He uses it to his advantage, though. People underestimate him because he's short. He doesn't really look like a person that can put up that many points, but he catches you off guard. He caught me off guard plenty of times in practice."

Said Page: "I always tell Terrel that I'm 19, and he always calls me a liar. It's funny. They call me Country Boy because I come from a small town, but I'm not country at all."

The first time Ford saw Page, the coach had no idea that Page was actually an OSU player.

"The kids reported on June 1 for summer school," Ford recalled. "I walked through the locker room and there were some guys sitting around the locker room. I thought (Page) was a friend of one of the players or a manager. I guess looks are deceiving.

"He just doesn't look athletic, and he's very deceivingly athletic. He has an incredible feel for the game."

Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas



Minutes: 31.4 per game.

Scoring: 14.3-point average

3-point percentage: .450 (25-of-55).

Clarke has started in each of Arkansas’ eight games. In the opener against Southeastern Louisiana, he nailed a 3-pointer with 28 seconds left in regulation, helping the Razorbacks rally to force overtime and surge to a 91-87 win. With 1:48 left against Austin Peay on Wednesday, after the Governors had drawn within four points, Clarke swished a 3-pointer. The Razorbacks went on to win 89-80.

Arkansas record: 7-1.

Next: Arkansas vs. Stephen F. Austin, 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

Upcoming: Arkansas vs. Oklahoma on Dec. 30; Arkansas vs. Texas on Jan. 6 (both at Fayetteville).

Keiton Page, OSU



Minutes: 23.5 per game.

Scoring: 10.6-point average.

3-point percentage: .400 (19-of-47).

In OSU’s 104-74 victory over Mercer on Wednesday, Page scored 11 points during a first half span of three minutes and 12 seconds. During that span, the Cowboys’ lead grew from six points to 15. Page finished with 13 points.

OSU record: 7-3.

Next: All-College Classic, OSU vs. Rhode Island, 6:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN Classic-255), Ford Center, Oklahoma City.



Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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6 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 

 
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Bixby Jeff, (12/19/2008 9:02:15 AM)
I'd like to know the circumstances behind Rotnei's dad leaving ORU after only one year. There was a lot of speculation that the only reason they hired him was to try to get Rotnei to sign with ORU. Now, since he didn't, his dad is gone. Seems that the speculation may have been right, if there was ever a doubt.
Report Comment
dcood, (12/19/2008 10:41:37 AM)
Hmmmm? Wonder why everyone was doubting these two boys' basketball talents so much?? Certainly not because of their sick numbers. Small school argument weak too. No one doubted former Millwood (2A)star and current Tennessee football player Gerald Jones' ability at the next level...
Report Comment
BobSmith007, (12/19/2008 11:26:42 AM)
Very Nice
Report Comment
Dave in Houston, Houston (12/19/2008 3:58:57 PM)
Bixby Jeff...that happens all the time now. It's the new wave of paying players, err, their family members/coaches/etc. Adults close to these kids guarantee they can deliver their committment in return for a high paying job on the inside. Just look at the K-State Asst Coach who delivered Michael Beasley.f you look around college basketball today they are everywhere.
Report Comment
Bixby Jeff, (12/19/2008 4:23:54 PM)
So, basically, "Sorry Mr. Clarke, you failed at the one thing we hired you to do, so you're fired!"
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Welcome to America !, Claremore (12/19/2008 5:36:33 PM)
Rotnei is in Fayetteville, AR, his parents and sister are all in Fayetteville also. Cassie plays for Fayetteville H.S., Conley is working for an athletic training facility in the Fayetteville area and Kris, Rotnei's mothers' mother has lived in the Fayetteville area for a number of years. There's your reason why he's no longer at ORU. He went where his son chose to go.
 

 
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