HS Girls Basketball: Stock rising for Woodrow Wilson senior Alauna Ellis

The Lady Flying Eagles senior is averaging nearly a double-double

Her name may not be the first that comes to mind when you mention Woodrow Wilson girls basketball, but the contributions of Alauna Ellis have been crucial to the success of the Lady Flying Eagles (9-2) this year.

While the senior post player has quietly gone about her business all season, her impact really stood out in wins over Charleston Catholic and Oak Hill this past week.

In the AAAA South regional clash with the Lady Red Devils, Ellis scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the year.

"I use the term, "she put us on her back offensively,"" Woodrow Wilson head coach Brian Nabors said after the Oak Hill win. "(Assistant) coach Gene (Nabors) said, "look, Alauna is feeling it, let's get her the ball." It was successful and she made some really nice plays. Alauna showed a lot of leadership tonight keeping us calm."

With sophomore standout Zoey Williams sitting with foul trouble and Concord University commit, Donya Burton receiving heavy pressure from the Red Devils, Woodrow Wilson needed someone to step up.

Ellis was up to the challenge.

With her team trailing by one after the first period, Ellis poured in nine second-quarter points to help flip the game into 24-19 advantage for the Lady Flying Eagles.

"Really proud of her having her second (big) offensive game. The other night against Charleston Catholic, she got us going and then again tonight," Nabors said. "If we can get her to be another threat offensively, then when they start doubling and sagging in on her, that will open it up for others."

So far this year, Ellis has scored double figures in five games and had 10-plus rebounds in six.

That includes an 11-point, 13 rebound performance against AAAA No. 1 George Washington.

"She is determined. If we are not rebounding well, then she is going to put forth that extra effort to get the rebound," Nabors said. "She knows how important that is and that is her role. Her role is to lead us in rebounding."

Anchored by Ellis' strong play complimenting Williams (15.4 ppg) and Burton (11.7 ppg), the Lady Flying Eagles are eyeing a return to the state basketball tournament.

Add in the growth of juniors Karsyn Gunter (8.7 ppg) and Shyloh Mack, along with freshman Nevaeh Mitchell and a trip to the Capitol City is clearly a realistic proposition.

Mitchell hit two big 3-pointers against the Lady Red Devils Wednesday night.

"Mitchell is capable of playing that type of basketball," Nabors said. "She helps our defense so much more and she can be a threat offensively as well."

The veteran coach is hoping the Oak Hill win is the accelerator to strong second half of the season.

"Overall, I thought our kids showed a lot of fight, a lot of grit," Nabors said. "They played through a lot of adverse situations. I am hoping that we grew up tonight."

The last state tournament appearance for the Lady Flying Eagles was Ellis and Burton's freshman season.

Woodrow Wilson travels to George Washington Tuesday, weather permitting.