Danny Crawford believed Alexis Neely could make the transition.
Still, it’s not a given that someone who is a leader at one school can assume that role when she transfers to a new school.
That’s why Crawford talked to Neely when she arrived at West Lowndes High School after the closure of West Oktibbeha County High. Crawford, who coached Neely on the West Oktibbeha County High girls basketball team, felt confident Neely could be a veteran presence on his new team, so he told her what she needed to do and how she needed to play to set the tone for the 2015-16 season.
Judging from the gathering Friday in the West Lowndes High gym, Neely played the role of leader just fine. After helping to lead West Lowndes to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State tournament in Jackson, Neely signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead.
“I had to step up and be a leader to show them things and so they could follow me, and I got it done,” Neely said. “I knew what I had to do to get where I wanted to get, so I worked at practice every day and we got there.”
The 5-foot-9 guard/forward averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocked shots per game for West Lowndes (17-16), which lost to Biggersville 49-28 in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A State tournament on March 5 at Jackson State.
Neely was instrumental in helping the Lady Panthers get there. She had a team-high 25 points in a 75-66 victory against Lumberton that helped West Lowndes advance to Jackson.
Neely capped her career with 14 points, eight rebounds, eight blocks, and two steals against Biggersville.
Crawford said Neely didn’t flinch when she was asked to be a leader on a team that featured 11 players in grades 8-10. He believes Neely will shine once she gets an opportunity to concentrate on basketball.
“She was a great leader,” Crawford said. “The transition (from West Oktibbeha to West Lowndes) was easy for her.”
Crawford said Neely is versatile and athletic enough to be able to transition to a guard or forward in college. He said her quickness and defensive ability, especially her knack for blocking shots, will help her overcome any height matchups she might face. He said a key for Neely will be getting into the best shape possible in the offseason so she makes the most of her chance to come in as a freshman to earn playing time.
Neely felt she handled the responsibility of being a leader well in her final prep season. She said she took Crawford’s advice and used the disappointment from a buzzer-beating loss in the second round of the Class 1A State tournament as a junior that denied West Oktibbeha a chance to advance to Jackson in its final year of existence.
At West Lowndes, Neely set the tone with her energetic play on both ends of the floor. Her athleticism helped her beat defenders off the dribble. It also enabled her to attack the offensive boards and follow any missed shots. Neely hoped that versatility would help her attract attention from college coaches. She said she never wavered in her belief that she would get an opportunity. She smiled Friday after her signing her NLI and realized all of the hard work had been worth the effort. Neely believed her role as a leader helped her convince coaches she could take her game to the next level.
“Making it to Jackson in my senior year really meant a lot,” Neely said. “I kept my head together even when we were losing and down, and I kept the team together and kept them from giving up and kept them fighting hard.
“Playing basketball in college is something I always wanted to do. I want to play at the next level, too. I deserved it. I am more than happy.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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