Colcord’s Caden Clapp
By Bryce McKinnis
Injuries often set youth student-athletes back; Some even retire from their sport after substantial injuries.
But others, like Caden Clapp, a Colcord High School basketball player, return to the game better than they were before they were injured.
“My greatest challenge I’ve faced was my junior year, I broke my fibula, and I wasn’t able to play for around four months. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I wasn’t able to play the sport I loved, and I had to watch my team from the sidelines,” Clapp said. “That was one of the hardest things in my life, but I was able to come back for my last game of my junior year.”
In his junior finale against Quapaw, Clapp — who had barely played during his freshman year, when the Hornets made the state tournament, nor his sophomore year — dropped 18 points. That, with his appearances in the early season, lifted his totals for the season to 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game.
“I was just happy I was able to come back and play with my team even though we lost the game and ended the season, I still had a fun time with them,” Clapp said.
That’s what makes Clapp such a productive player for the Hornets; Though his varsity career is still taking off, his presence is always felt when he’s on the floor, and he never plays for personal gain. It’s all about his love for the game, his school and his teammates.
“I aspire to be a leader by leading by example, and if they made a mistake, I would help them and show them what they did wrong, so they would understand,” Clapp said.
Now entering his senior season, Clapp is exactly the type of leader his team needs.
“Ever since my injury, I’ve been pushing myself to be the best and I’m hoping to prove that this season,” Clapp said. “My main goal is to make it to state this year.”
After high school, Clapp hopes to play at the next level, receive his degree and positioning himself to help others.
