u/ToterPilz08

I’m a HS senior prepping to minor in music, in doing prep I realised I need to buy a clarinet. Big scary. Big adult money. Big money I don’t have. My budget is 1000$ for an instrument I intend to play for both Uni band and Marching Band. As of right now, my weapon of choice is the Yamaha YCL-255 paired with a Vandoren CM308 B45 Traditional mouthpiece and the Vandoren LC21P leather ligature with all the fun plates. I plan on getting myself a légère synthetic reed and Vandoren reeds too.
Will this combination fair me well?
Are there other clarinet options?
Is the ligature necessary? (I can hear the change is clarity but will it really matter???)
Help.

All I've been seeing is Fords like taurus, focus, and explorers. They all typically range from 1005-1016. Are they worth looking at to purchase?