Clem Joins 1000 Point Club
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by Justin Rudolph Matthew Clem of the varsity boy’s basketball team at Ardmore High School ended his senior year by joining the few elites in the 1000-point club. Matthew was the 2005-06 Ardmore Boy’s State Representative as well as a member of the Beta Club, FCA, Spanish Club and the First National Bank Advisory Board. By reaching 1000 points this season, Clem joins four other Ardmore athletes who accomplished this feat under Coach Mike Sanderson’s tenure. Kevin Rich and Marty McGuire, 1992 graduates, and Pete Browning, a 2005 graduate, are the only other players to accomplish this goal. Clem also had an impressive year on paper. His stats backup his reputation with other teams as an all-around good player. Sanderson reported that Clem was 50% from the field and made 67 three-point baskets this past season. He shot 76% from the free throw line and was the third leading rebounder for his team. |
Matthew Clem |
Clem scored 35 points for a career high against East Limestone this season followed by several other 30-point games.
Matthew was considered the “6th man out” his sophomore year but still managed to score 207 points. He started his junior year and led the team with 322 points. He ended his senior year with 494 points to push him over 1000 by 23.
“My success on the court was definitely because of the trust and confidence my teammates had in me. They expected me to score and they always gave me the ball when I was open, and even more often sometimes,” joked Clem.
Coach Mike Sanderson spoke highly of Matthew’s confidence on and off the court. “Matthew was one of the hardest working players I’ve ever had, and nobody worked on their game more than he did in the off-season. His leadership and the example he set was something to be proud of,” said Sanderson.
Sanderson also made mention of the fact that every other team knew of Clem’s abilities and would focus their defense on him. “Every team had two and sometimes three men guarding him and he still put up great numbers this year.”
Matthew plans to attend the University of Alabama this fall and major in the field of Business Management with a focus on Accounting.
He is the son of Wade and Dana Clem of Ardmore. Grandparents are Odie and Floy Mae Dugger and Cecil and Helen Clem, all of Ardmore.