Stephanie Clark’s star shined brightly while she was a standout basketball player at Artesia High School.

She led the state in scoring her senior year and was given a full athletic scholarship to play at Oral Roberts University, where she is attempting to let the college basketball world see how bright her star can shine.

The former Lady Dog and current starting small forward for ORU got a chance to get away for a short Christmas holiday and returned to her old stomping ground – the Bulldog Pit in her hometown of Artesia.

Clark was rarely challenged by an opposing player when playing for the Lady Dogs, but the player who made so many clutch baskets in so many big games is making the tough adjustment as one of two freshmen to break into the starting line up for Oral Roberts.

"It’s a whole new game," said Clark. "You have to learn everything all over again. My coaches gave me a really good base to start off, but college basketball is a whole new game."

Clark isn’t just saying that to say it – she’s learned what a new game it is in college first hand.

In her first 11 college games, the Golden Eagles have played four ranked teams, including Colorado, Oklahoma and Baylor – three of college basketball’s premiere teams and favorites to cut down the nets at the Final Four in March.

"I can’t stress how different it is," Clark said. "Players are so much stronger, faster and smarter than you that you can only try to soak up as much as you can every time you’re on the court. I’m learning a lot and I’m getting more comfortable with my role."

Clark was most impressed with Colorado, who she says is probably better than Oklahoma or Baylor.

With six freshmen on the team, and six incoming freshmen next season, Clark is aware that her team is dangerous, but will be a work in-progress over the next few seasons. After 11 games, Oral Roberts is 5-6.

As much fun as she is having with her new surroundings, Clark admits that it is really tough to be so far away from home and the family she cares so much about.

She is one of only three players who do not live within a short drive from home and her trip to Artesia over the holiday was her only one since she arrived in Tulsa.

"Christmas is the only time I get to come home and see my family and that’s really hard for me," Clark said somberly. "I mean, I’m leaving at 5:30 on Christmas morning so this is even a short trip."

Clark was happy that she was able to see her brother Justin play a game in the Bulldogs’ win over Carlsbad and see her old team in action in their win over West Las Vegas a day later.

"It was really great to see Justin play, because I won’t be able to see him again this season," she said.

Clark said she was really sorry she missed her brother’s first game – in which he had a slam dunk in a win over Ruidoso.

"My mom called me screaming about how Justin had got a dunk in his first varsity game," she said. "It was great to hear, but I wish I could have seen it – wish I could have seen if it was powerful or if he just dunked it weak."

Much like the days when Cheryl Miller used to compete and beat her brother Reggie, Stephanie said she used to dominate Justin when they played against each other growing up.

Can she still beat him that easily now?

"I used to beat him so bad," Clark said. "As far as now is concerned — let’s not even go there."