Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Over the past three seasons Ava Locklear built a resume as one of the most uniquely skilled players in the state.

Playing on the state’s biggest stage on Tuesday Locklear put her versatile skillset on full display.

Locklear nearly posted a triple-double in a Class 4A quarterfinal win over Gilbert on Tuesday finishing with 14 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists while leading top-ranked Clear Creek Amana (24-0) to the first state tournament win in program history.

“I’m not just trying to get points or just get boards I’m trying to spread it out and do everything well,” Locklear said. “That’s something I’ve done a lot more this year.”

A three-year starter, Locklear has flashed an impressive variety of skills during an all-state career.

The 5-foot-11 Locklear cracked the 1,000-point barrier for her career in a regional final win over Keokuk last week.

Scoring is just a small piece of the puzzle for Locklear who is averaging a double-double with points and rebounds for the second year in a row and has led the Clippers in assists each of the past two seasons.

Locklear also has more than 700 career rebounds (748), more than 200 career assists (227) and is closing in on 150 career steals (138) and blocked shots (145).

“She has over 1,000 points, over 700 rebounds, almost 300 assists,” Clear Creek Amana coach PJ Sweeney said. “She can lead us in the fast break. If teams are pressing us we can give her the ball. She can step out and hit the 15-footer, she can go down low and get to the rim. She is just tremendous and we are just very fortunate she’s wearing the blue and white.”

The scoring has actually gone down for Locklear the past two seasons which is partly by design.

After averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 points per game as a sophomore Locklear began working on developing the other aspects of her game.

That work started with her ball handling.

“I think I’ve evolved the most in just pushing the ball up the court and just ball handling,” Locklear said. “Last year I didn’t look up the court as much and this year that is something that has really helped us get momentum going is that transition.”

The result of Locklear’s evolution as a point forward has made Clear Creek Amana a nightmare to defend.

Locklear has upped her assist, rebound, blocked shot and steal totals each of the past two seasons.

This season Locklear is averaging 12 points and career highs of 10.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.8 steals.

“She has always been good offensively and defensively but this year I think she’s more assertive, more confident,” Sweeney said. “She gets rebounds and is just taking off and going. She is leading up and picking apart the defense.”

Never has Locklear been better than she was on Tuesday.

In addition to her near triple double in points, rebounds and assists Locklear had team-highs in blocked shots (3) and steals (5) while helping the Clippers to a 68-30 win over Gilbert.

“Part of that is my teammates playing phenomenal defense on their guards,” Locklear said. “I give a lot of the credit on that to my teammates.”

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