LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Riley Clinger (Week Ending January 7, 2024)

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Riley Clinger

On Saturday, January 6th, Northern Lebanon Boys Basketball found themselves in a precarious position, trailing visiting Upper Dauphin by 11 points at halftime. The 2nd half brought a renewed team effort that resulted in an exciting overtime win for the Vikings. While several players stepped up, including Riley Messinger and Luke Shaffer, it was Riley Clinger who stole the show. The senior, scoreless in the 1st half of the game, turned the dial up to score 14 points to give Northern Lebanon a chance to win. His offensive output included a three-pointer with twenty seconds remaining to force overtime, where the Vikings would secure the victory. In the game, Clinger added 3 assists and 2 steals. For his efforts, he was selected as the LebCo Male Athlete of the Week.

Through the first thirteen games of the season, Clinger has averaged 8.7 points while tallying 23 steals and 38 rebounds. His efforts have been part of the five wins that the Vikings have celebrated this season, a vast improvement over last season’s challenge one-win campaign.

Clinger understands that being a senior, he needs to step up to be a leader for what is a reasonably young Northern Lebanon team that is banking on the development of its youth for future success. This is a tough situation for any upperclassman. Still, if he can successfully embrace the role, he will cement a legacy well beyond how many games he won while wearing his high school uniform.

Clinger has eight games remaining to lead his team. During that time, it is his goal to avenge some of the more challenging losses they suffered earlier this season as they will run through the Section 3 schedule for a second time.

Having been involved in basketball since third grade, the thrill of competition is not anything new to him. Beyond the hardwood, Clinger is a member of the Northern Lebanon Golf and Volleyball teams.

After high school, Clinger’s goals include becoming a waterfowl hunting guide.

We wish Clinger and his Northern Lebanon teammates the best of luck as they work to build a foundation for future success. Clinger’s impact will be determined by how many underclassmen are talking about his positive influence when he’s off sitting in a duck blind.

Read about this week’s Female Athletes of the Week: Olive Brandt & Kasey Weimer

For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: January 2 – January 7

Previous Winners

Micah Gray (Week of 12/4)

Elisha Slabach (Week of 12/4)

Aaron Seidel (Week of 12/11)

Ashton Kriss (Week of 12/18)

Daryan Rodriguez (Week of 12/18)