Alana Carlander Riverside Year: Senior Sport: Basketball Position: Guard

Rather quietly, Alana Carlander earned all-league honors in the Northeast A as a junior.

This year, with the seniors gone, Carlander had to accept a bigger role if Riverside hoped to make it to state. With the playoffs a week away, state is still in question, but Carlander is doing her part.

Her 33-point performance last week led the Rams past Colfax, forging a tie at the top of the NEA.

“The biggest thing we ask of her is when games are tight or the game is still in question, she has to be our player to take control,” Riverside coach Chris Wren said. “We don’t need her to necessarily to score but to handle the team… . We have three freshmen and two sophomores. At times, things can be real disorganized out there.”

Filling that role isn’t as easy as scoring for the 5-foot-8 guard, who averages about 18 points per game.

“We had so many seniors last year, I let them take over,” Carlander said. “I was never used to being a leader. I’m kind of quiet. I’ve never been the real loud one. It made me nervous at the beginning, but I thought I would get used to it.”

That change may be easier than the next one she faces. Though she likes the sport that is in season, whether volleyball, basketball or track, she prefers basketball. She isn’t at all certain if her career will continue because she isn’t sure where she wants to go.