For White County Warriorettes girls basketball player Gracie Clark wearing a White County jersey is about more than points, rebounds and wins. Clark said it is about honoring a legacy, leaning on lifelong friendships and chasing a season that feels destined for something special.
“Being at White County is just great because we have such a respectful legacy,” Clark said. “I feel like we’re just going to keep carrying it on and, we have the best fan base, and that’s why we want to make it to state so much.”
As one of six seniors on this year’s Warriorettes roster, Clark said she has embraced both the responsibility and the opportunity of leading a team that has surged to a 22-3 record. Clark said the success has not come overnight. It has been years in the making, built in summer leagues, AAU gyms, state tournaments and countless practices alongside teammates who feel more like family than just fellow players.
“Everybody means so much to me,” Clark said. “They’re my best friends. They’re the people you see every day. You go to the locker room every day, we’re with each other pretty much 24/7, but we always hang out outside of basketball too. We do a lot of team bonding, that’s why we’re all so close. They mean a lot to me.”
That closeness shows on the court. Clark has averaged around 13 points and nearly seven rebounds per game while adding steals and defensive pressure. Her stat lines often reflect her all-around impact, scoring in double figures, cleaning the glass and making the hustle plays that swing momentum. But for Clark, the story goes back even further.
She has played alongside fellow seniors Bella Winningham and Lakeland Grasty since second grade. Clark said years of shared bus rides, tournament weekends and offseason workouts have forged a chemistry that now defines the Warriorettes’ identity.
“It’s a build up of all our chemistry throughout the years,” Clark said. “We’ve been playing together since we were little, and each year we’re improving more and more together and our chemistry is at an all-time high.”
That chemistry has translated into recognition as well. Clark earned All-District and All-Defensive honors last season, and her name frequently appears atop game recaps for her scoring efficiency and defensive presence.
Still, Clark said she measures success by more than accolades.
Clark said for her, it is about walking into a packed gym, hearing the roar of the Warriorette faithful and knowing she is part of something bigger: A program with history and a senior class determined to add its own chapter.