Top Seniors to Watch for 2013 - #2

Alexus Malone looks up at the scoreboard during the 5A Semifinal game against Wayne County. Photo Courtesy of Todd Liddell.

#2 - Alexus Malone

Alexus Malone has a lot of pressure to perform at the high level. Her mom - Assistant Girls Basketball Coach Stacy Malone - went to college and became an All-American.

A. Malone is one of just two major players returning to defend the 5A State Championship in what was arguably a North-Heavy talented 5A last year with Lanier on their winning streak that got snapped by a very underrated Center Hill team which was done on Oxford's home floor (OHS Girls Basketball hosted the North Half Tournament).

Malone was the starting Center in last year's undefeated team and will do so this year with more of a burden on her back. Almost everyone that was in a regular rotation last year (7 out of 9 total players) was lost to graduation - thus Malone returns with the most experience on the team. 

It is not a secret that Malone will likely be the main scorer this year and has the post moves to do it. Her mom is the assistant coach on the team so there is no question about what they talk about everyday. Heck today they might talk about the poor job - or great job ;) - I did on this blog. Watch Malone this year to lead this team and teach the younger ladies how it is done. Watch Malone teach them how she was able to help lead the Girls Basketball Team to its first state title in 14 years last year.

This experience will likely translate to the Softball Field after Malone is done with Basketball. She is one of just three Seniors on the team that made the 2nd Round of the playoffs last year. Malone has a lot of pressure to be the Senior leader in both sports this year and really does not have a lot of help to do so. She only has one other Senior on the Basketball Team (Amber Sisk) and two on the Softball Team. She needs to be a leader to new OHS Softball Coach Steve Blackmon. Malone needs to be able to at least set the base for the future of the Softball program and help give Coach Blackmon a good start to his Head Coaching career.

A lot of pressure is on her shoulders for this upcoming Basketball year (her mom watching and coaching her all Basketball season is stressful enough), and to be a leader on the Softball field. Good luck to you Alexus, make it through this year and your mom should be proud. You should leave here with your head held high for all that you have accomplish - and will soon accomplish.