THUNDER BAY – Jon Kreiner says he’s added a fierce competitor to his squad in Charlotte Clifford.
A standout at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, the 5-foot-11 Clifford has tremendous physical tools, the Lakehead University women’s basketball coach said in a release issued on Wednesday by the school.
“Combine that with a great heart and will to succeed, Charlotte will be a force to reckon with over her career with the Thunderwolves,” Kreiner said.
"Charlotte is known for her aggressiveness, her ability to play smart defence and her rebounding skills. She is a natural leader with a great work ethic and tremendous enthusiasm for the game. I look forward to helping her develop into a force in the OUA.”
The top scorer on her high school team, Clifford averaged 15 points a game last season, leading her squad to the county finals in Waterloo Region Basketball.
Her high school coach had high praise for his graduating star.
“For four years Charlotte has been the hub of our program. On a daily basis, in practice or games, Charlotte led the way for her teammates and continually improved over her career to become a premier defender, rebounder, and a tireless leader for the team,” Mike Kilpatrick said.
“Whether it’s going for a loose ball, getting a big rebound, setting a screen for a teammate, Charlotte found a way to make Jacob Hespeler basketball a huge success and with coach Kreiner’s recruitment, Lakehead women’s basketball just got better.”
An honour student, Clifford said she’s excited to start the next phase of her basketball career.
“I am really looking forward to working with coach Kreiner and my new teammates as a Thunderwolf in September 2017,” she said.
