PORT ANGELES — Only a couple of months after leading the Peninsula College men’s basketball team to an NWAACC championship, Mitrell Clark is moving on.
The NWAACC tournament MVP signed with College of Idaho (NAIA) last week after making the most of his one-year stay at Peninsula.
Clark transferred from Arizona Western College during the summer, following first-year Pirates head coach Lance Von Vogt, an Arizona Western assistant in 2009-10, from Yuma to Port Angeles.
The starting combo guard thrived on the North Olympic Peninsula, leading the Pirates in scoring (429 points, 16.5 ppg), three pointers made (65), and steals (2.0 spg).
With Clark playing alongside side fellow starting guard Sammeon Waller, Peninsula had one of the most explosive backcourts in the NWAACC.
College of Idaho head coach Rod Jensen said he looks forward to having Clark show the same passion and charisma for the Coyotes that he displayed with the Pirates this winter.
“We are truly excited that Mitrell has decided to continue his collegiate basketball career at The College of Idaho,” Jensen said in a news release.
“My coaching staff and I believe that Mitrell is an impact player, not only for the Coyotes, but will be one of the premier players in the Cascade Collegiate Conference and the NAIA next season.
“With the addition of Mitrell to our returning players, I believe we now have the nucleus needed to make a run at a conference crown and a trip to the National Tournament.”
Von Vogt said Clark received inquiries from more than 50 schools on his availability to play for their program.
He narrowed his list down to the College of Idaho after having several meaningful conversation with coach Jensen on the phone.
“It was a hard decision because after my team won the championship, I had a lot of options,” Clark said in a news release.
“The thing that was most important was my success on and off the court. I could have signed with a big college and not be as successful, but I made a mature decision.
“This means so much to me because not only do I get a chance to play ball, I have an opportunity to get a degree at a well-respected institution and continue my education.”
Although Mitrell’s presence will be missed at Peninsula, Von Vogt expressed his satisfaction in Mitrell’s decision.
“I’m excited for Mitrell to start this next chapter of his college career,” Von Vogt said.
“He did a tremendous job for us, and I am confident that he will do a tremendous job for coach Jensen and the College of Idaho.
“He is prepared to be successful at the next level and that is one of the key constructs that our program is built on.”
