Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Canton’s Nariah Clay

PALMYRA, Mo. — Nariah Clay’s clutch free-throw shooting and consistent play throughout the week carried the second-seeded Canton girls basketball team to the championship of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational.

That included going 8 of 9 from the line and scoring 14 points in a 68-54 victory over top-seeded Palmyra in last Saturday’s championship game.

Clay scored 21 points in the 59-39 victory over Clark County in the semifinals, making seven field goals and going 6 of 8 from the line. She had nine points in the second quarter when the Tigers outscored the Indians 19-10 to take a seven-point halftime lead.

In the 45-37 opening-round victory against Monroe City, Clay scored eight of her game-high 17 points in the first quarter. She finished 4 of 4 from the line.

Clay’s effort has earned her the Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week.