Athlete Profile: Carmen Planells, Clayton Girls Basketball

Although the girls basketball team has struggled in the early games of the 2011-12 campaign, junior Carmen Planells has high hopes for the season.

“I think we’re going to get better,” Planells said. “I think we have a shot to do well. We just have to stay focused. We have to come to practice ready to practice, and we have to show up at games ready to push it.”

Planells, a junior guard, leads Clayton’s offense this year. She averages 9.3 points per game. The junior scored 28 points in the team's first three games.

Clayton has struggled to a 0-3 record so far. Principia trounced the Greyhounds 63-35 on Nov. 30. But Plannells scored nine points in the game. She had her best game in the season opener against Rolla with 15 points.

Clayton coach Heath Kent said he’s looking at Plannells; her sister, Ali Plannells; and Lacei Sams as his team’s main offensive weapons this year.

“She has a real nice mid-range game she’s developed over the last few years,” Kent said. “She looks to score, and that’s something we need.”

Plannells said she concentrates on muscling her way inside in order to draw fouls and then capitalize from the free-throw line. She hones her skills in practice with the coaching staff.   

“In practice, we work on going up to the coach, who pushes us, and then we have to push back,” she said. “When we do that, I know to bend down and put my shoulder into them. That way, they’re on top of me, and I have to go up when they’re about to foul.”

The junior said repetition aides her free-throw shooting.

“I do the same routine every time I step up to the line,” she said. “I focus on the back of the rim, and when I release it, I feel like it’s going to go in.”

The guard played junior varsity during her freshman year and varsity as a sophomore. So far, she’s earned more playing time this season.

“This year, I’m a consistent starter,” Plannells said. “This year, I have to take a bigger leadership role. There’s only three returning varsity players, and people turn to me for advice.”

The junior guard is a goal-oriented player. She said she would like to see the Greyhounds win a district championship this year.

“It was our goal last year, and we didn’t get it,” she said. “This year, I feel we’re committed to winning.”    

Plannells also said she would like to lead her team as a captain next year. The junior also has played lacrosse and softball and has run cross-country.