Cali Clark had adjustments to make before playing basketball at Cherry Creek High School.

Clark played her freshman and sophomore seasons at Class 3A Lamar before moving to 5A Cherry Creek last season, where she helped the Bruins win the state girls basketball championship to go along with one state title she was part of as a frosh on the Lamar basketball team.

“It was kind of a big adjustment,” admitted the 6-foot-3 Clark. “Lamar was a 3A school. We had 400 kids versus here where there are 4,000. It was an adjustment in school, and the athletics definitely got much harder. So my classes are harder here and there's more competition."

Clark could move among the top 10 career rebounders in the state this season, as she is currently 14th and 63 rebounds out of the top 10.

“The biggest change I saw was size,” said Clark who was one of the leaders on the Bruins' volleyball team. “At Lamar when I used to play there I was always the biggest on the floor and in most cases that is usually what happens here. But you do see the Lauren Betts (Grandview sophomore) of the world at 6-7 and the average overall has increased. My role has increased a little bit. I doing more rebounding and having to take more shots because I'm one of the leading scorers on the team.”

Key stats

After 11 outings, Clark was averaging 13.2 points and 11 rebounds a game.

Coach's take:

`A big aspect of her game that is underrated is how good her hands are. She catches everything. She is such an intelligent player. She is just not a big kid, she is a really skilled basketball player.'

Clint Evans,

Cherry Creek girls basketball coach

Q&A with Clark

What or who motivates you most to excel in basketball?

The game itself and the family that surrounds me with my teammates and my coach. They are always like making me do my best.

What is your favorite class in school and why?

Physics. It makes sense to me right now and I am understanding it the best, which makes it fun.

What do you like to do away from sports and school?

I usually spend time with my friends or family. I love hiking so we do that a lot.

What are your plans after high school?

I am committed to go play basketball at Colorado State and I am going to be majoring in mechanical engineering, so physics is preparing me for that.

What is the key to being a good rebounder?

Height obviously helps and just being able to realize where the ball might go and just being in position early. And fighting early to get an easier spot.

How hard is it when you get into foul trouble?

I try and play as clean as I can for the first couple quarters but if I get a foul I back off so I can stay in the game. If I get fouls later I don't have to worry about it as much.