Multi-sport standout Xavier Clark of St. Mary’s is a high energy performer who never stops running.
Whether it is on the soccer pitch or the basketball court, Clark has a motor that runs at full speed all the time. It has helped him become a solid basketball player, but it has been in soccer where he has emerged as one of the top goal-scoring threats in the St. Louis area.
“My key is to out-run my opponents,” Clark said. “And also to use my strength and aim for the corners.”
Clark entered his junior season wanting to score at least 20 goals. He accomplished that goal this week as he now sits with 22 goals and nine assists. The Dragons still have two games left to play in the regular season before they begin district tournament play. Even more important to him is that the Dragons are rolling along with a 15-5 record.
Clark has enjoyed numerous games where he’s had multi-goal performances from his forward position. He had a huge performance on Monday afternoon when he scored three goals and had two assists in the Dragons’ 7-3 victory over Whitfield.
Clark scored two goals in victories over Granite City and Gateway Science Academy. However, his top performance came on September 11 when he led the Dragons to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over MICDS.
It was Clark who scored all four goals for the Dragons, including the game-winner in overtime to climax a rally from a 3-1 deficit.
“I felt great after I led my team to a great win after they had beat us the last two years,” Clark said. “With us coming back from being down 3-1, I was telling our coach “I got you” and to have all four goals felt great.”
On the basketball court, Clark figures to play a much bigger role as a junior as the Dragons look to replace graduated standout Zyree Collins, who averaged 31 points a game last season. As a sophomore, Clark averaged six points, three rebounds and three steals a game while providing his usual high energy play at both ends of the court.
At some point, Clark knows that he may have to make a decision as to which sport he wants to play at the collegiate level. As of now, he is content to enjoy playing both sports. He’s made a greater impact in soccer so far, but he is going to let the process play out.
“I do love both sports,” he said. “I get told to play soccer and keep going with soccer, but I do have a passion for basketball. But, as of right now, I’m leaning towards soccer. I don’t want to quit basketball, but for my future, I probably will be playing soccer in college. I’m not totally sure right now.”