Kambri Cleavinger, Nazareth basketball, Jr.
On the court: Nazareth continued to cruise through the UIL Class 1A Division II playoffs last week, picking up convincing wins over Guthrie 54-24 in a semifinal and then earned a 59-49 win over Texline in the Region I-1A Division II championship game.
Cleavinger was stellar in both victories for the Swiftettes, who will play for the programs 27th UIL state championship Thursday. The junior forward torched Guthrie with 19 points, going 3-for-7 from beyond the arc. In the win against Texline, Cleavinger added 16 points and was excellent on defense with five steals on top of 11 deflections.
On the year, Cleavinger is pouring in 17 points a game and is shooting 44 percent from the 3-point line.
Coach Eric Schilling: “Kambri has shown amazing growth from her sophomore year. She has been huge for us and filled in a key role we needed after what we lost. She has grown into a tremendous leader and she is very vocal with her teammates. She has a great basketball IQ and she is a motivator. She has a lot of confidence now and it shows in how she plays the game and how she can score the basketball.”
Cleavinger: “I really like the way we’re playing as a team right now. We are all best friends and we all just want to win for one another and carry on the great Nazareth tradition. We’re peaking at the right time and we’re hoping to bring home another state title. I just have to keep playing confident like I have all year, and trust my teammates like they trust me.”
About Cleavinger
Favorite band or musician: Noah Kahan
Favorite social media platform: TikTok
Favorite athlete: Paige Bueckers
Bet you didn’t know: She also plays tennis and pickle ball.
Parents: Codi and Cassie Cleavinger.