Today is a huge day, its the start of March Madness with UConn against Jackson State, on top of that the public was on the edge of their set to see if Rylee Clark would sit bench or get minuets in the game. It was widely believed that she would be riding bench the rest of the season. However, Geno always liked having tricks up his sleeve and what's better than popping the surprise that the best player in the nation was playing at the last second. This would leave Jackson State to scramble as they probably didn't create their plays with Clark in mind.
Rylee's pov:
Coach had just told me earlier that I would be starting, to say I was excited would be an understatement. I knew going in I would have to fight for my minutes in the game and eventually earn my starting spot again but Coach was adamant that It was the best move. So here I was braiding my hair and getting hyped. It had been a while since I got to play on the court but I know that I trained for it and I was ready. I just have to show all the haters wrong, because what they don't know is if you tell a Clark they can't do something we're going to do it out of spite.
The Game recap:
No. 3 seed UConn celebrates Auriemma's 70th birthday with an 86-64 first-round win over Jackson State. All-American Rylee Clark back from an 8 week injury leads her team to a victory sending them to the sweet 16. All-American Paige Bueckers with the following up leading shooter and her teammate offer a special gift for UConn's coach Geno Auriemma on his 70th birthday- a 30th consecutive first-round win in the NCAA Tournament but that was to be expected.
Jeff: Welcome back Husky Nation, today Im here with Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi as we watch UConn go for their 30th consecutive first-round win. It's also a special person's birthday today so hopeful all the birthday wishes will be the good luck charm for UConn's head coach Geno Auriemma
Sue: Thanks for having us Jeff, I can't wait to watch this game. We just got word that Rylee Clark is going to be playing in this game agains Jackson St. What's your thoughts on that Diana
Diana: Yeah, she's a beast on the court and from talking to Auriemma she got cleared to play about two weeks ago and has been improving everyday. You know Sue Paige and Rylee remind be about about us we played here
Sue: Oh for sure, Paige is definitely me and Rylee is 100% you. Do you think she gave Paige a mix tape to keep when she visited
Diana: Hey, that was a fire track. And I don't even think these kids know what a mix tape is. Wow did I really just date ourselves
Sue: I fear you have.
Jeff: Its great to see the friendship is still strong, maybe after the game will have to ask Clark and Bueckers if they know what a mix-tape is.
1st quarter
Jeff: with the first quarter wrapped up UConn has 22 points and Jackson has 8. If the Huskies keep playing like this will be fine. What do you think Sue and Diana
Diana: Yeah, I mean coming right out of the gate Clark put down an impressive 12 points within the first 5 minutes of being on the court. I'm telling you Jeff she's heartless on the court.
Sue: I agree, she knows coming into this game that she needed to prove people wrong. And this was a great come back. I would have to argue that she plays better now than 8 weeks ago.
Jeff: I agree, the she's a Clark for a reason. She can shoot the ball like it's no tomorrow. So for the fans at home we have Clark with a stunning 16 points, Bueckers with 5 point and Azzi with 1 point. As well as Nika with 11 assist.
2nd quarter
Sue: Alright we are back. Jackson definitely brought the heat this quarter with 20 points but with Nika and Ice's defense the Huskies were able to still come out on top with 27 points.
Diana: Lets talk about the incredible half court shots Clark made this quarter. For someone who just broke a collarbone it sure doesn't look like it.
Jeff: I agree for Clark to shoot 4 half court shots and a few lay-ups its impressive to see how quickly she recovered from her injury. But we also have to mention Bueckers with an impressive 16 points this quarter.
Sue: Again I truly think Bueckers and Clark is the glue to the team and the recipe to win this thing. Just to watch them play together is incredible. You can tell that have such a close bond and can just man the court without communicating.
3rd quarter
Diana: This quarter was tough with Jackson scoring 22 points and UConn scoring 23 points, in this last quarter the Huskies will have to dig deep and try to pull this though
Sue: I agree, although I have complete faith in Clark and Bueckers to do this. We know Clark is a force on the court and I think she will being the intensity to the next quarter
Jeff: I agree, between defense and the shooters UConn has a good chance of pulling thought and winning this. However it's important to note all 5 players have been in the game since first quarter without any subs so they are tired but they will have to dig deep
4th quarter
Jeff: And with the end of the game the UConn huskies have done it again. bring that sweet victory on Coach Auriemma's birthday
Sue: that's right, what an incredible game to watch and most importantly a great come back from Clark
Diana: Its great to see them celebrate lets send the cameras back down to show the world their celebrations
Back on the court
Quickly after the players won they reached into their warm-up bags and pulled out their t-shirts for Coach. All the girls picked a picture of Coach and had them printed on a shirt to wear for the post-game locker room Birthday event. Rylee picking an image of Coach struggling with a zoom call. When Coach walked in they all yelled surprise and Coach was definitely taken back by the t-shirts. Mostly not getting the jokes. After celebrating Coach's birthday Paige, Rylee, and Nika were brought into the press room to do a post-game press conference
Interviewer 1: So Clark how is it like getting back on the court how was your journey healing
Rylee: Yeah, it was hard but I put the work in and did overtime just trying to get back to the court. Realistically speaking Basketball is my job so to be out of an injury is hard. But nothing beats the feeling of driving the ball down the court and shooting it.
Interviewer 2: Can you guys explain what the shirts are
Paige: well mine is of Coach, were were heading to Big East meet today, and my man needed a nap so he kind of took a snooze, and I took a flick. We all picked a pic the we thought was funny or represented Coach
Nika: I chose this, because Coach is just like the old grumpy man from Up and he looks like him to
Rylee: And I chose this pic of Coach struggling with a zoom call. This was actually one of my first meetings with Coach and I though it showed how even the best Coaches in the world have downfalls. And it just adds to the whole team joke of how old coach is
Interviewer 3: Rylee you just played an amazing game with 43 points, what would you say to those saying you would be benched
Rylee: Don't wright me off so soon. Because you have to fight for your right to fight and I fought for my right to fight today. Never underestimate a Clark
Interviewer 4: What is it like playing in March Madness again or for the first time and what do you hope for the future
Paige: You know it's great to have a health season so far. I just want a healthy March and to win
Rylee: I agree I would love to win and just bond with these girls. Because they are my everything
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Innocent strangers
FanfictionWhat if Caitlin Clark had a younger sister who was also a basketball prodigy, some even saying better than Caitlin. Except Rylee Clark accomplished what Caitlin didn't and that's playing for uconn. How will she do as a freshman, will she succeed or...
