(Story by Taylor Kennedy)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Every coach dreams of a player that can give 110%, despite what is going on in the game. Glenville State head coach Justin Caldwell will get his dreams answered when St. Albans prospect Ethan Clay steps onto the court for the Pioneers.
Clay has spent the last four years competing, diving for loose balls, and making the big plays for the Red Dragons. He received the defensive player of the year in the Kanawha Valley. Clay recorded 60 steals and 41 deflections to help St. Albans have one of the best defensive teams in the Mountain State Athletic Conference.
The drive and grittiness Clay showed throughout last season helped the Red Dragons win their first regional championship since the 2003-04 season. St. Albans defeated Woodrow Wilson 68-53 in the Region III co-finals. Clay and fellow senior Rodney Toler combined for 41 of the team’s total points. That moment will forever be embedded in Clay’s memories.
“It was phenomenal. It was probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life. Rodney and I were right there beside each other. We just smiled because we knew everything we’ve worked for finally paid off,” said Clay.
A couple of days after the Red Dragons made history, there were a lot of questions surrounding the boys state basketball tournament. When the tournament was eventually canceled in April, it was a difficult day for not only Clay but all the other teams that qualified or were set to play in regional championship games.
Clay tried to get his mind off things by going to a place that made him the most comfortable. “We were supposed to have practice at noon on a Saturday. They shut it down at like 10:30-10:45 in the morning. The first thing I did was go to practice early. I showed up at the gym between 11-11:30. I’ll admit it, I broke into tears. I was so scared that was how my season was going to end,” says Clay.
Like all the other schools, St. Albans went on with practice. “It was heartbreaking,” says Clay about everything happening at once.
Once he knew that his high school basketball career was over he knew it was time to decide where to go to college. Clay’s first offer was from Glenville State. He committed to play for the Pioneers back in April.
Blessed to be continuing my academic and athletic career at Glenvile State College! #goblue#gsc#unfinishedbusiness @GSCpioneers @CoachCaldwell15 pic.twitter.com/SUghDkZjIW
— eclay (@Eclay22) April 21, 2020
When an athlete makes that decision to play at the collegiate level they will initially state that the facilities and coaches helped make the decision. For Clay, there was another factor that ultimately made it an easy choice.
“I like it up there. It’s a nice little town. I’ve had people tell me that the town comes around the team. The facilities are great, the fishing is great [laugh], Coach Caldwell is a good guy. He’s kept in contact with me.
“I’ll do whatever needs to be done. If he [Coach Caldwell] needs me to help clean up, do anything, get water, play in games, or guard the best players. I’ll do whatever is needed,” says Clay.
Besides continuing to grow into a collegiate body and see the floor, Clay is looking more towards what he wants to accomplish with his team.
“I want to help the team any way I can. I want to be able to win the conference and go onto play in Division II nationals.” Clay will be one of five incoming freshmen from West Virginia. The other four players are George Washington’s Gus Eddy, Shady Spring’s Luke LeRose, and Tommy Williams and Jahiem House of Bluefield.