Player Profile: Alyssa Peterson (2019)
Alyssa Peterson is a 5-7 2-guard who played this past year for Menahga high school and the Central Lakes Thunder. Menahga is located on Highway 71 in Wadena County, north of Wadena and Sebeka, south of Park Rapids, east of…
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Continue ReadingAlyssa Peterson is a 5-7 2-guard who played this past year for Menahga high school and the Central Lakes Thunder. Menahga is located on Highway 71 in Wadena County, north of Wadena and Sebeka, south of Park Rapids, east of Detroit Lakes, Frazee and Perham, and west of Pine River-Backus. They play in a pretty good Class A conference, the Park Region, which they won last year at 9-2. New York Mills and Henning were next with 4 losses, Sebeka had 5 and Verndale had 6.
All of the cities just mentioned all seem from the perspective of the metro area to be “up north,” so I was shocked to find that Menahga is in section 5A. Not only that but the past 2 years Cromwell from way over beyond Aitkin and Grand Rapids was also in section 5A. But they’re returning to section 7A for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. You have a fair chance of seeing Menahga and Alyssa Peterson and her teammates in the state tournament.
Menahga went 23-6 last year and got to the section semis before getting torched at Cromwell 78-40. It’s one of the very few sections to hold semis at the high seed rather than at a neutral court, so I guess you better win the home court advantage here if you want to move on. Pine River Backus went 22-6 last year and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 21-6, and both will battle Menahga for the state tournament berth. All 3 have about 61 points per game returning from last year,
For Menahga, everybody’s a guard except senior forward Leah Schwartz. The junior class is very solid including Peterson, Cierra Ahlf (junior guard, 13 ppg-7 reb-2 asts-2 stls), Megan Hendrickson (junior guard, 8 ppg-4 reb-2 asts-3 stls) and Aimee Lake (junior point guard, 7 ppg, 4 reb-5 asts-2 stalls). Lake is the obvious on-the-court leader, but Alyssa Peterson is the go-to scorer.
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball in 4th grade because all of my friends were in it.
When did you first realize that you were good at it?
In 7th grade because I got a varsity jersey.
How would you describe your game? What do you do to help your team win?
Quick and aggressive. I like to drive and also shoot from the perimeter. I see the floor well and can find open teammates.
What are you working on improving?
I am working on getting bigger and stronger. I am working on all aspects of my game every day.
Do you see yourself playing basketball at the next level?
I would love to play college basketball. I am currently not sure what my plan is. Just filling out questionnaires that colleges are sending me.
What are your goals, both personally and for your team, this winter?
My personal goals are to not have any regrets. Keep working hard and know that I'll never look back and wish I'd worked harder. For our team it is to make it to the state tournament!
What advice would you give to younger girls who are just starting out in basketball?
Work hard both on and off season. Never give up. Believe that you can and then do it!