Rams hope to regain defensive mojo

Clarke’s girls’ team has endured some peaks and valleys in recent seasons. They snapped a 15-year playoff drought in 2019 and jumped out to an 11-5 start the following season before losing eight straight games, including all five last winter.

Head coach Shaun Fean said his team lost their defensive identity during the slump and tried too hard to outscore the other team instead of just shutting them down. But he is optimistic that their defensive prowess will return.

“It has been a little bit of a spiral to this point, and just now I feel like we’re at least trying to get our feet back underneath us a little bit and reestablish what our identity is,” he said..

The Rams have a nice balance of upperclassmen, but two sophomores are expected to make an impact in point guard Avika Mehta and swingman Michelle Diaz. Fean said the athletic Mehta will be the primary ball handler and “is well equipped” to handle the varsity game, while Diaz could be the team’s top scorer.

“She just has that uncoached ability,” Fean said of Diaz. “She knows the plays to make and she knows how to beat her girl 1-on-1.”

Guard Lauren Genna is the top senior returner who can make her mark on both sides of the floor. In addition to her shooting accuracy, Feam lauded Genna for her improved defensive play since first joining the varsity team as a freshman.

Junior Rina Visvanathan is back with the team and will fill in as a third guard and senior Katelyn Diaz, Michelle’s sister, and Olivia Mogavero are both strong on the boards and the low post. Junior guard Julia Khashan has the potential to be a future star with her outside shooting and seniors Alexie Crisp and Cat Amini are expected to provide sparks off the bench.