2020 Prospect Spotlight: Jake Clark

<p>Point Pleasant Beach struggled in 2019 as the Garnet Gulls finished with one victory,but 2020 is a different story. They have 13 wins on the season, including a 51-41 victory over Perth Amboy Tech in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs. Senior guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-clark/">Jake Clark</a> </strong>was huge for Point Pleasant Beach as he had a game-high 22 points.</p> <p>He started off the game hot as he scored the Garnet Gulls' first five points, but sat the entire second quarter because of foul trouble. Clark made up for lost time in the second half as he dropped 17 points after half. He made his living at the free throw line as he attempted 15 free throws in the game.</p> <p>Clark is adept at drawing contact and getting to the line as he has made 125 free throws coming into the state tournament. He moves exceptionally well off the ball as <strong>Anthony Longo </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chris-venturoso/">Chris Venturoso</a></strong> hit Clark on a couple of backdoor cuts. His defense on Perth Amboy Tech <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/felix-romero/">Felix Romero</a> </strong>was solid as the 5'5 junior guard struggled to get into a rhythm all game.</p> <p>Clark hounded Romero on the defensive end and did not allow him to get a clean look at the basket when he defended him. On offense, Clark used his size and strength to his advantage as Romero could not stop the larger Clark in the paint. His ability to draw in the defense provided Longo the space he needed to knock down a pair of three-pointers.</p> <p>His performance against Perth Amboy Tech was not a fluke as it was his 12th 20-point game of the season. Clark can score in a variety of ways as he can get to the rim, create separation in the mid-range and knock down three-pointers. He has a smooth touch on his floater and rarely plays out of control.</p> <p>Clark is not just a scorer as he is a good passer and tough rebounder down low. The B Central All First-team selection always plays with his head up and knows when to make the extra pass. His chemistry with Venturoso is good, as the two play well off each other.</p> <p>Clark missed almost all of his junior season due to injury, but he has made up for it with a strong senior season. He has eclipsed double digits in every game except for one and has five games with at least seven assists. Clark is a scoring point guard who is capable of taking over a game in the second half.</p> <p>The Garnets Gulls will need him to be at his best in the quarterfinals as Bound Brook has a trio of good guards. <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quadir-harrell/">Quadir Harrell</a></strong>, <strong>Cam'Ron Summers </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-hawkins/">Davie McLarty</a> </strong>are all capable of taking over a game. Clark is a talented guard who deserves to get more recognition for his play this season. If Point Pleasant Beach is able to pull the upset over Bound Brook, Clark will definitely get more attention from colleges.</p>