Clarence Alumna Ella Corry, UB Women’s Basketball Team Visits Clarence Center Elementary School

As a student at Clarence Center Elementary School, Ella Corry said she remembered being inspired by a visit from the women’s basketball team at the University of Buffalo. Years later, Corry had the opportunity to inspire students there as a member of the team.

“This is a full circle moment,” she said. “I’d never thought I’d be here, especially with all of my teammates.”

Corry, joined by a group of teammates, coaches and family members, spent time at the school on March 13 as part of their weekly Morning Program. The team members took time to answer questions from students on topics like how they developed their skills on the basketball court and how they adjusted to traveling to Buffalo from across the country and world to play collegiate basketball. Corry told students about finding a love of their game to help them put in the work to improve, and also recognized her former teachers and coaches. Corry was also presented a certificate recognizing her as an impactful alumni of the school.

Joining Corry at the assembly were teammates Meg Lucas, Anaya Coleman, Diann Jackson, Paula Lopez, Deana Thompson and Aniya Rowe, along with assistant coach Joanna Smith and chief of staff Ella Unger. 

Corry was a standout performer in both basketball and in flag football at Clarence High School, and was the school’s Female Athlete of the Year for the 2023-24 school year. At the University of Buffalo, the redshirt freshman guard saw her minutes and production increase through the season.

Among those who were there for the morning was her father, Adam, who said the visit brought back many memories of Ella and her siblings attending the school.

“It goes so fast,” Adam Corry said. “This was a great launching spot for our kids to be confident and grow.”