Lakeland High School’s Clint Wright Jr. was voted Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after scoring 23 points and earning game MVP in a win over Churchland High School.

The Lakeland High School boys’ basketball team has gotten off to a solid start this season. The team is 6-2 on the year and came into this season looking to take the next step as a group. Lakeland has won six of its last seven games, with one win coming in a game against Churchland High School in the Greyhound Tip-Off. In a 55-52 win, Wright went for 23 points, which also included the game MVP honor.

“I feel like as a team we played well on both sides of the court from start to finish,” Wright said. “For that game, I shot well, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates finding me and putting me in a position to be successful.”

For the past three seasons, Wright has found a way to take the next step on the court. He has been an All-Region selection the last two years, and last year he was a first team All-District selection and a first team All-Region selection as a junior. With his play so far this season, Wright could place himself in contention for any kind of Player of the Year honors.

Though the accolades are great, Wright said he doesn’t play for recognition but rather for love for the game. As he came into his senior season, he wanted to be more consistent and confident. He felt like his play the last two seasons was average by his standards, and he knew he had a big opportunity for improvement.

“Just going into the summer, I worked on just being more consistent with everything I do, so during the season, it could help win the team games and help build my confidence up,” Wright said.

Collectively, Lakeland has taken strides in the last two seasons. During the 2017-2018 season, they had no players with varsity experience. The next season, they improved on their win total, and this year Wright sees bigger things for he and his teammates. They want to make it to states, but as one of the senior leaders on the team, Wright knows it’s going to take consistent effort while taking things one practice at a time and one game at a time.

Wright is coached by his father, Clint Wright Sr., with his older brother, Derek Wright, being an assistant to the Lakeland boys’ basketball team. He described it as a blessing to be able to learn so many lessons from both his father and older brother. Of course, there is pressure that comes with being a coach’s son, but Wright embraces it.

“There is always constant pressure to perform well, and sometimes he gets on me,” Wright said. “But I thank him for that, because it causes me to have high standards for myself. My brother is always challenging me with different scenarios, and he’s always giving me little hints that help improve my game.”

Wright plans to play at the next level, as he is still garnering interest from different colleges and is weighing his options.