A “trickle-down effect.”
That’s what St. Mary’s girls basketball coach Jeff Newhall thinks is happening because of Caitlin Clark. Aka, the Iowan single-handedly bringing cable back to life (NCAA women’s championship: 18.9 million viewers; WNBA Draft: 2.45 million).
More specifically, Newhall – who knows a thing or two about reaching title games (2021-23 three-peat) – hopes Clark glamor makes its way to girls games all across the country, whether it’s a state championship or not.
“In terms of the interest in girls’ high school games, and, hopefully, getting more young kids excited about playing,” Newhall said.
Excited about playing – those are the key words – and why is that?
Lynn Classical coach Tom Sawyer could go all day.
“It is such good, high-level basketball,” said Sawyer, whose Lady Rams registered a perfect regular season (20-0) in 2023. “I love the fact that Clark’s basketball talents have brought more fans and more viewers to the women’s game.”
One could say there are several reasons for the Clark craze. First things first, an unmatched skillset.
Newhall, Sawyer, and Lynn English coach Sydney Brennan all touched upon her shooting, but view playmaking as Clark’s top asset.
“As a coach, many people see Clark for her crazy range in her 3-point shot,” said Brennan, who hooped at Bishop Fenwick High School. “She sees the whole floor and doesn’t focus on how many points she scores, but, rather, just plays the game. IQ, when it comes to sports, often goes unnoticed, but to be able to time a pass out right as another player is moving is a great skill to have as a player – and definitely something I look for in players.”
That said, more than 500 threes at the collegiate level doesn’t hurt, either.
“A prolific scorer,” Newhall said.
Then, there’s the competitor’s mindset she possesses.
Swampscott freshman Olivia Quagrello – who, this past winter, netted 205 points and swiped 77 steals – looks up to Clark’s mindset more than anything else.
“There are many things I try to take away from Clark’s game, but what I focus on replicating the most is her mindset. She is fearless, confident, resilient, and determined. Having this mindset makes her unstoppable and an amazing role model,” Quagrello said. “Her confidence shows through her difficult shot-making abilities – whether she is swishing a logo three or driving in the lane through traffic for a layup.”
Brennan sees it the same way, adding “sports build so much more than just athletic ability.”
“I hope after seeing players like Clark lose with grace and lead with humility, it’ll make high school girls want to try out for more sports,” she said.
Not to say recent exposure of the women’s game is all Clark – like Fonzie turning on a jukebox with one knock – but television ratings do show a link between her and the uptick.
Sawyer’s analysis is that “new viewers may have tuned in to see Caitlin, but in the process, they got to see a lot of talented women’s basketball players.”
That trend has done wonders, according to Newhall.
“With names like (Angel) Reese, (Cameron) Brink, (Kamilla) Cardoso, and (Paige) Bueckers, they’re much more familiar to people than anyone in the NCAA men’s game,” he said.
Brennan joined the fun, adding “basketball is fun to watch, whether it’s men or women playing.”
Yes, men or women. Quagrello – like many girls around the country – is finding another hero in the world of sports.
“It encourages gender equality in sports, inspiration for the future generations of athletes, and an overall excitement to the game of basketball,” she said. “The image of Clark and all of the hype around the March Madness tournament offers new inspiration for aspiring athletes of all ages.”
Now, Clark – whose Nike deal reads $28 million across eight years – soon suits up for the Indiana Fever after being drafted No. 1 overall.
Let’s see where Clark’s impact goes from here.
“I hope that buzz gets more young girls involved in basketball at an early age,” Sawyer said. “I hope, once involved, they enjoy the game and being part of a team so much, they continue to play.”
