Prior to this season, Wheaton Academy’s Alexa Sharkey already was an accomplished basketball player.
A two-time all-Private School League selection and an all-area pick last year, Sharkey went out and got more help, courtesy of former Harlem Globetrotter Curly ‘Boo’ Johnson.
That kind of ball-handling instruction helped Sharkey get even better en route to the 2009 News/Leader/Press Player of the Year.
“That helped me a ton skill-wise because I never had that much dribbling technique,” Sharkey said of Johnson’s guidance.
What she has always had is, arguably, unmatched athleticism. Running three miles a day, six days a week in the offseason helps. Her ability to score in transition is so potent teams will change their game plan because of it.
“My dad (Ron) said Montini pressed every game all season except for our game because they knew we liked to run,” Sharkey said of the Broncos’ win over the Warriors in the Class 3A sectional finals. “So I’ve been trying to focus more on my outside shooting.”
That’s probably the only area where Sharkey didn’t excel. She led Wheaton Academy to its best season in school history — a 28-2 overall record, unbeaten run through the final season of the Private School League and the Warriors’ first PSL and regional titles in a decade.
The 5-foot-9 Sharkey topped the Warriors in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots.
She was able to shine in big games, like the 28 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals and three assists she poured in against St. Edward and all-stater Katie Yohn. Sharkey held the Bradley recruit to 13 points, 10 below her season average.
Then there was her triple double in the regular-season finale against St. Joseph. All Sharkey did against the Chargers was score 24 points, pull down 17 rebounds and snag a ridiculous 11 steals, the latter number only matching her season high.
“That nose for the ball was something Alexa was born with,” said Wheaton Academy coach Beth Mitchell. “Her ability to anticipate the pass and get her body in the right position to lead our break was why she led us in steals (by nearly a 2-to-1 margin). And her skill at grabbing the defensive rebound and taking it to the offensive glass was probably the key for our success.”
Sharkey also benefited from summer league play and working with both her dad (a starting point guard at NAIA Lewis-Clark College) and his brother, Rich (varsity boys assistant at Conant, head coach of the IBA Sharks, which Alexa also plays for).
“Since freshman year, I’ve always just tried to play hard, do my best,” said Sharkey, who’s on pace to break the 1,700-career-points plateau. “I loved playing with my sister (Sydney). The team really clicked and we had a really fun season.”
5 things to know about Alexa Sharkey
1. FAVORITE PRO PLAYER Candace Parker
2. FAVORITE CLASS Strength and Conditioning
3. HOBBIES Digital photography
4. iPOD MUSIC Alternative, hip-hop, rock
5. BOOK I’D RECOMMEND Twilight
