Williamson achieves ‘grand’ honor

Martin Co. West senior standout passes career scoring milestone

Alyssa Williamson has become one of the most prolific scorers in Martin County West girls basketball history.

In a Jan. 11 game against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Williamson scored her 1,000th career point to make her the 12th Maverick girl to accomplish the mark.

Williamson said going into the game, she didn't know how many points she needed to get to 1,000, but the final basket became clear after a false start.

"I knew I was getting close, but I didn't know exactly how many points I needed," Williamson said. "What happened was, Marissa (Whitehead) passed it to me for a layup and I scored and everyone started standing and cheering, but the refs called that she had traveled so I had to make another shot to get 1,000."

Williamson's 19 points in the Valley Conference matchup put her at 1,001 for her career. Martin County West head coach Rodger Taylor said he doesn't like to tell players when they are approaching a milestone, but he did have a conversation with Williamson beforehand.

"I think it puts undue stress on them," Taylor said. "It can become an issue for some players and we really just want them to go out and play, but Alyssa and I did have a conversation when she was getting close. I just wanted her to know it was going to happen and when it happens, it happens, but it's more important to stay relaxed and just play. We talked about how individual records are great, but basketball is a team sport and we need to focus on the 'we' and not the 'me.'"

Williamson said looking at the bench and into the stands after she scored was an incredible feeling.

"It was one of the best feelings ever," Williamson said. "It's been a goal of mine for a long time and to look up and see everyone standing and cheering was amazing."

"The whole bench got excited," Taylor said. "I don't think anyone up in Janesville knew why we were all going crazy."

Williamson said she has played basketball since she was in second grade, when she would sometimes play with her sister's fourth-grade team if they needed extra players for tournaments.

She said her teammates and the excitement basketball brings her are her favorite parts of the sport.

"I've been playing with the same group of seniors for years," Williamson said. "I think there are five or six of us left who all played elementary school ball together, and I just love the game. The excitement of scoring or getting an assist, everything that comes with playing. I love it."

Williamson has been on MCW's varsity roster since eighth grade, but started to get actual playing time in ninth grade. Taylor said he has seen her grow many ways on the floor since she joined the team.

"She certainly has gotten taller," Taylor said with a laugh. "But really, she sees the floor much better, she's become a more unselfish player on offense and a much better passer. She's got a great work ethic and great energy, which all adds up to being a great kid."

Williamson said during the school season she stays on the court after practice to keep working and spends her summers playing AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) ball to help her grow as a player.

"I'm on the court a few hours a week in the summer when my AAU team doesn't have a game," Williamson said. "A few hours a day, a couple days a week when we do. During the school season I'm usually one of the last ones to leave the court after practice."

Taylor said the extra work has helped her grow as a player and a leader.

"She's a great kid to coach," Taylor said. "She puts extra time in, she wants to get better, she listens and wants to learn.

"I joke with her and the other seniors that they are a pretty quiet group, but it's OK to lead by example. I think that would be the one thing I want Alyssa and all the seniors to get better at, being a more vocal leader."

This season, Williamson is averaging 16.4 points, 3.5 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals per game and is shooting 42 percent from the floor.

After getting to 1,001 points against JWP, Williamson put up 25 points against Cleveland last Saturday and 14 more against Minnesota Valley Lutheran -- including a game winning 2-pointer -- on Thursday to put her at 1,040 on her career.

Williamson said she wanted to thank those around her for helping her get to where she is.

"I definitely wouldn't be here without my teammates and coaches, so I would just want to say thank you to all of them," Williamson said.

As well as her success on the court, Williamson plays shortstop for the Maverick softball team and was named a Triple A (Academics, Athletics and Arts) winner for Martin County West.

Williamson said she plans to continue her basketball career after high school, but has yet to make a decision between multiple MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) schools that have made offers to her to play for them.