In the high-turnover world of high school basketball, Caleb Clarke’s career at Ashland Blazer serves as a masterclass in patience and player development. Now the undeniable engine of the Tomcats’ 2025/26 campaign, the senior Power Forward has evolved from a deep-bench reserve into one of the most efficient scorers in the state, anchoring a team chasing its fourth consecutive regional title.
The Developmental Phase (2022–2024)
Clarke’s tenure began in his freshman season on a roster loaded with upperclassmen talent. As a freshman wearing #32, he saw the floor in 18 games, serving a limited role for a squad that finished 23-12 and reached the Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena. While he only averaged 1.2 points per game, the efficiency that would define his later career was already visible; he shot 53.3% from the field and converted over 83% of his free throws.
His sophomore campaign marked his transition into the regular rotation. Clarke appeared in 28 games for a team that went 23-11 and secured another 16th Region championship. While his scoring remained modest at 3.1 points per game, his rebounding presence grew, and he continued to develop his shooting touch from the charity stripe (81.2%). However, he struggled to find his rhythm from deep during this period, shooting just 26.9% on three-pointers.
The Junior Breakout (2024/25)
Junior season represented Clarke’s arrival as a legitimate statistical force. Stepping into a starting role, he became the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder, helping drive Ashland to a 24-8 record.
Over 29 games played, Clarke averaged 11.9 points per game, quadrupling his output from the previous year. His interior dominance was evident in his 58.1% field goal percentage, and he proved to be a vital physical presence, pulling down 5.9 rebounds per game. This performance was instrumental in Ashland’s third straight trip to the Sweet 16, where they defeated Calloway County before falling in an overtime heartbreaker to Bowling Green.
Senior Dominance (2025/26)
Now in his final season, Clarke has ascended from a key contributor to the undeniable focal point of the offense. Through mid-January 2026, he is averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game while leading the Tomcats to a 13-4 record.
What stands out most in his senior year is his hyper-efficiency. Clarke is shooting a remarkable 62.2% from the field (115 of 185). Furthermore, he has completely reinvented his perimeter game. After struggling from deep as an underclassman, he is currently shooting 50% from three-point range (11 of 22). He remains the team’s top rebounder, matching his junior year average of 5.9 boards per game.
Career Progression by the Numbers
Clarke’s year-over-year improvement offers a clear picture of his work ethic:
| Season | Grade | GP | PPG | RPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Fr. | 18 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 53.3% | 100.0%* | 83.3% |
| 2023/24 | So. | 28 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 46.5% | 26.9% | 81.2% |
| 2024/25 | Jr. | 29 | 11.9 | 5.9 | 58.1% | 32.7% | 72.6% |
| 2025/26 | Sr. | 15 | 19.7 | 5.9 | 62.2% | 50.0% | 77.1% |
*Note: Freshman 3PT% based on 1/1 shooting.
As the 2026 postseason looms, Ashland Blazer finds itself in a familiar position: atop the Region 16 standings. But unlike his freshman year, where he watched from the sideline, Caleb Clarke is now the engine driving the Tomcats toward another Sweet 16 run
