By Matt Browning
For Alana Shetlar and the Andover girls basketball team, they got a taste of what it’s like to play in the state tournament last year. That’s simply not good enough this season.
“Our main goal this season is to win state,” Shetlar said. “It has been my goal ever since I started playing high school basketball. In order to reach that goal, though, we have set some small goals in preparation for when that time comes.”
Just a week after the Trojans fell to St. James in the third place game of the 5A Tournament, Shetlar was back in the gym.
“A week after this past school season ended, I was back on the floor with my AAU team,” Shetlar said. “I play for Kansas United and I am coached by Gayla Soyez. We spent the summer traveling to different tournaments and playing under the Select 40 circuit.”
Now committed to play next year at Oral Roberts, Shetlar wants to become a more versatile scorer.
“I have been working on using my length to my advantage when it comes to scoring, whether that be in the paint or farther out,” Shetlar said. “I have also been focusing on body control and footwork during trainings this summer in order to improve my ability to score at the basket.”
Last season, Shetlar averaged nine points and six rebounds per game. She is hoping both of those numbers improve in 2023-2024.
“Personally, my goal this season is to get a double-double each game in points and rebounds,” Shetlar said. “I want to be a threat on both the offensive and defensive side.”
