Clements has Lady Lions singing, playing in harmony

If the Lady Lion basketball team was ever to play a game in Australia, it would have no problem belting out a rendition of the country's national anthem -- senior forward Em Clements has made sure of that.

The players have heard Clements' version of the song so often since she landed in Penn State two years ago, they know the anthem word for word.

"Whenever there is a microphone around I like to run up and sing the Australian national anthem. It sounds so horrible," Clements said. "I think it's funny that all the girls know the anthem now. Sometimes they even sing it with me."

The Lions' new-found talent is a good example of how Clements has used her position as co-captain to create a close-knit bond among all the players on the team. The senior's leadership is one reason Penn State is off to a quick start in the Big Ten. With a win over Illinois Friday night, the Lions will move into a tie for first.

On a team with only two seniors, Clements has worked with Parsons to build a family-like atmosphere in which no players are afraid to express themselves. Rather than yelling a lot, the Australia native has stuck to her lighthearted approach to motivate and get the most out of her teammates.

When she is not on the court, Clements serves as a big-sister figure to her teammates. With her door always open, the captain is there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

"Em is an all-around great person. She brings everyone together," guard Christine Portland said. "She is someone who is always there for you, whether someone needs to talk or just needs a hug."

Although she is always friendly off the court, Clements is all business on it. Penn State's starting forward averages 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She has also contributed significantly to the Lions' defense, which has put the clamps on three of the Big Ten's premier post players -- Wisconsin's Ann Klapperich, Michigan's Pollyanna Johns and Indiana's Quacy Barnes.

Clements may not have been playing against the Big Ten's best had Australia's universities met her requirements. She wanted to stay in her country and get a college education, but its colleges do not have sports. Therefore, Clements decided to travel to the United States to fulfill her goal of getting a college education while also playing basketball.

Penn State is the last stop on what has been a three-college tour for the Lions' co-captain. She started out at Lamar University in Texas but did not enjoy her experience there and left after her first year. From Lamar, Clements traveled to Central Florida Community College for a year so she could look at other colleges without having to give up basketball for a season -- something she would have had to do if she transferred to another Div. I school right away.

While at CFCC, Clements began looking at Penn State. After coming to visit, she was convinced Penn State was where she wanted to be.

"I came up here one weekend and hung out with the girls and realized this was the place for me," Clements said. "I knew I would have a good time here. The combination of the high basketball and education standards was an impressive combination."

The team leader has not regretted her decision. Although she misses her family a great deal, Clements' teammates have helped her enjoy her two years at Penn State to the fullest.

"My friends and teammates are the best," Clements said. "All the girls are lovely. Everyone is thoughtful and caring. They take care of me."

And Clements returns the favor in countless ways -- except when she sings.