Clint Heffern has always played multiple sports. At Iola High School, Heffern played football, basketball and baseball.
The 5-10 senior weighed his options of where to go for his college education and athletic pursuits. Heffern landed at home.
“It’s a good fit for me. Allen gives me the opportunity to play both sports,” Heffern said after signing at Allen Community College Wednesday. Heffern accepted an academic scholarship to ACC allowing him to participate in both basketball and baseball.
“I think I’m better at baseball but I love to play basketball.”
And Allen Community College head basketball coach Andy Shaw and head baseball coach Val McLean are glad Heffern wanted to play both sports at the college level.
“Clint is a good kid who works hard and plays hard. He’s the kind of student-athlete you want in your program and on your college campus,” said Andy Shaw, who was just named head basketball coach last week after a year as an assistant at ACC.
“I’ve watched him play basketball the past year and he is smart on the basketball court and brings a great attitude to the program.”
Both Shaw and ACC assistant baseball coach Brett Lisher talked of the benefit of having local athletes in the Red Devil programs. Both also pointed to Heffern as an example of how hard work pays off for student-athletes.
“Clint is an all-around good athlete with a good head on his shoulders. He is going to get after it every day he comes to practice and in games,” Lisher said. “He has great hands defensively and will help us in the middle infield plus I like his approach at the plate when he’s hitting.”
Heffern is expected to play as a guard for the Red Devil basketball team. During his senior season at IHS as point guard, Heffern scored 95 points and led the team in assists with 44. He shot 40 percent from three-point range, hitting 21 of 52.
Heffern was 12 of 21 at the free-throw line. He had 31 rebounds, 24 coming on the defensive end. Heffern was tied for first on the team with 18 steals and he had 21 deflections.
On the baseball diamond for the Mustangs, Heffern is hitting .462 this season through eight games. He has 12 hits and nine RBIs. Heffern is the Mustang’s starting second baseman plus pitches.
As a junior, he hit .359 with 23 hits, which included six doubles and two triples. He led the team with 12 stolen bases. He was 5-0 pitching with a 3.54 ERA.
“I’m excited about playing both sports at Allen. For basketball, I believe I’m a good ball handler and play smart on the court,” Heffern said evaluating what aspects he can bring to the Red Devils.
“As for baseball — and also basketball — I have an attitude of wanting to do whatever it takes to help my team be successful. I do have a strong work ethic.”
