VIDEO: Charles Clark Interview
Clark becomes the third Eagles to win the honor since the New Year started and the first C-N freshman to capture the accolade since Ish Sanders snagged one his freshman year in 2011 after scoring a school-record 51 points on Mars Hill.
"We're very excited for Charles," head coach Chuck Benson said. "We think this is very deserved because we don't win either of our road games this week without him. He performed otherworldly at Lincoln Memorial, then he seals the deal for us at Lenoir-Rhyne. We're just glad another young man has represented our institution and our program well."
Clark logged a 30-point effort Wednesday night as the Eagles' knocked No. 1 LMU from the ranks of the unbeatens with an 87-72 triumph in Harrogate. Clark became the first freshman to score 30 points in a game for C-N since Ish Sanders did it in 2011 when he set the school's single game scoring record against Mars Hill.
"It's a cool thing," Clarks said. "I never thought I would get something like this my freshman year. Coach told me to be aggressive this week. I've got a bit of a confidence boost too and that helped me this week."
Against LMU, Clark reset his career highs for points (30), field goals made (11), field goals attempted (17) and blocked shots (2).
Then, against Lenoir-Rhyne, Clark scored six of his eight points as the Eagles went on an 8-2 run over the game's final 2:30 minutes to collect their first road win at L-R since the 2010-11 season. Clarks hit four free throws in the game's final 90 seconds to give the Eagles the lead and then a three-point cushion.
"I've been talking to my mom a little," Clark said with a chuckle. "She'd been criticizing me. I've been trying to do a little more so she wouldn't have as much to criticize. She should have plenty to love this week."
Clarks was a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe in the final five minutes of games this week.
Clark joins Carson Brooks (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.) as Eagles who have earned SAC player of the week accolades this year. The three winners are the most ever for Carson-Newman in a single basketball season.
The Eagles return home Wednesday night to face Brevard. Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 7:45 p.m. with an 8 p.m. tip on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.