ALYSHA CLARK
April 14, 2010 - Alysha Clark, was born in Denver, Colo. in 1987. Her family moved to Kansas were she ran track in school. It wasn ’t until she moved to Mt. Juliet with her parents in 2002 did she start playing basketball.
Her sophomore year for the Lady Bears, the talent was there, but a bit raw to say the least. One thing she had deep inside her that coaches at every level will take, and that is an unbelievable work ethic and a desire to be the best. Selfish she is not; she sets the example by leadership in the weight room, in the classroom and in practice.
Alysha could have been the greatest volleyball player, golfer or chess player had she desired. As tough and focused as she is on the basketball court, she has the good looks and charisma to be a runway model.
Last week her dream and goal came to fruition as she was drafted in the 2nd round (17th overall) by the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. I remember asking her while she played at Belmont University if playing in the WNBA was her dream and she said, to my surprise, yet typical Alysha, “not my dream but my goal.”
I wonder what goals she has set for herself in the WNBA? Whatever they are, I’d bet she reaches them.
LEVI BROWN
Another former Mt. Juliet High School athlete who played at the same time Alysha did will get to see his dreams come true next week when the NFL holds its 2010 draft.
 Levi Brown played his high school football under former head coach David Crawford from 2003-05. Crawford had the philosophy of Steve Spurrier when he coached the Florida Gators, throw the football all over the field.
That philosophy probably helped Brown prepare for his college career as quarterback starting at Richmond for two years then transferring to Troy University his junior and senior years.
It was at Troy where he drew the attention of professional football scouts. One draft board has him projected in the fifth round. There are 114 quarterbacks eligible in the year's draft and Levi is rated as the 10th best. Brown has already had private meetings with the Panthers, Bills, Saints, Chargers and Titans.
"I have a lot to prove," Brown said before the Combine in Indianapolis. "I don't get talked about all the time on ESPN like those other guys because they're from big schools, and I'm from Troy. It's a great opportunity to let everybody see I can make all the throws and hopefully show I'm just as good as they are."
Brown said he has talked to scouts from the Browns in Indianapolis.
Levi Brown threw the ball for Carolina Panthers’ Quarterback Coach Rip Sherer and Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weiss. The former Notre Dame head coach actually ate breakfast with Levi.
We are proud to call these two former Mt. Juliet High athletes our own. |