Clearview senior DeAri Todd scored a season-high 34 points in Tuesday night’s win over Buckeye, which was a pivotal game to keep the Clippers in first place in the Patriot Athletic Conference.
However, it was a day when basketball took a backseat to what really matters, as Todd and his family mourned the death of his great grandmother, Willie Mae Kolb.
Todd dedicated his performance to her.
Hours before the game, Todd attended her funeral with family and friends.
While some would understandably choose to take the night to be with family, Todd made the decision to play.
“I just felt like my grandma wanted me to play and I just felt like I had to do it,” Todd said.
Todd was grateful for friends and teammates supporting him during a rough time, and expressed his thanks to teammate Jonathan Coutch, who attended the funeral to show support.
“It meant a lot because it just showed how close-knit of a friendship we have and how close we are as a team.”
Heading into the game, Todd didn’t plan on putting up a season-high number of points, but was especially motivated to play for his great grandmother.
“We were extremely close. She went to all of my home games and was supportive in everything. She was just selfless… just selfless. I didn’t even know how many points I had during the game, I was just playing the game and it just turned out to be like that. Every time I got the ball and scored, I thought about her.”
Todd also grabbed 11 rebounds in the win, scoring seven of his points in the fourth quarter. The Clippers improved to 16-3 overall and 13-1 in the conference.
The 6-foot-4 forward will be playing college football at Michigan State University in the fall, but in the mean time, hopes to help lead Clearview to a Patriot Athletic Conference Title in basketball and make a deep run in the Division II State Tournament.
Clearview hosts Oberlin (15-4, 12-2) on Friday, Feb. 17, in a game that will decide the conference championship.
Clearview lost the first meeting of the season at Oberlin, but the Clippers get the Phoenix on their home floor this time around.
“We’re very excited for that game,” Todd said. “Ever since middle school, it’s been us and Oberlin as the two best teams.”
Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm Friday.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to DeAri and his family.
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