Senior spotlight: Alysha Stieber has fast start for Marathon basketball
MARATHON CITY - Alysha Stieber didn't hit every shot she took in an overtime win against Newman Catholic on Nov. 20.
It just seemed like it.
The Marathon senior guard went 10-for-15 from the field on the way to a career-high 29 point performance against the Cardinals in a Marawood Conference South Division basketball game. Stieber, one of eight seniors on the Raiders' roster, was especially potent from behind the 3-point arc, hitting 7 of her 10 attempts.
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"The most (3-pointers) I had made before was three," Stieber said during practice Monday. "I didn't even realize I had made seven ... the shot was there and I just kept taking it."
The performance was part of a fast start for Stieber, who has averaged 18.3 points per game this season for the Raiders, who entered Thursday with a 3-0 record. The scoring average is double the 9.3 she averaged last season.
"Last year was a learning year in kind of a different role of point guard, floor general. The ball was in her hands a lot," Marathon coach Jeff Schneider said. "She definitely improved as the season went on and this year we really look to her to be a complete guard with handling the ball, getting to rim and also, like she showed last week, knocking (shots) down from outside."
Stieber, who has been on the Raiders varsity team since her sophomore year and also runs track and cross country, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the start of the season and outlook for the Raiders, her pregame superstitions and why basketball is her favorite sport, among other topics.
Do you have a certain nickname which your friends/teammates or family calls you?
My teammates call me "Lisa" and then other people call me "Leash."
What has been your most memorable sports moment so far?
Definitely going to state. That is just awesome — especially in basketball (in 2015). I actually saw the floor my sophomore year, and it opened my eyes to what hard work can do and what you can achieve. It was an amazing feeling just to play on that (Resch Center) court.
What has been the worst or most embarrassing sports moment?
State cross country my sophomore year. I got a really bad sideache and was basically walking (through the course).
What is a memorable basket you have made?
There was one two years ago when we played Auburndale (in Marathon). Coach (Jeff Schneider) said, "Only layups" and right after that timeout I shot a (3-pointer). Lucky that it went in or that might have been bad.
What do you like about this year's team?
I like how hard we are working during our practices. We definitely bring it our all. We're working hard and everybody wants it — we want to go to state and we want to win conference. We are just going to take it one step at a time.
Are there certain teammates who you will especially miss after this season?
It's definitely all the seniors because we have been playing together since the fourth grade and all the memories we have had. It's just going to be different the next step in college not seeing their faces and sharing all the inside jokes that we have.
What is it about basketball that you enjoy the most?
I just like how fast-paced it is. Also the fact that if you make a mistake on one play, you can redeem yourself on the next or sometimes make yourself worse.
Do you have any certain pregame rituals or superstitions?
I wear the same socks every game. I have a black pair underneath my white pair.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Channing Tatum.
Where would your dream vacation be?
Bora Bora.
FAVORITES
Sport: Basketball.
College or pro athlete: Stephen Curry.
Movie: "Wonder."
TV show: "Pretty Little Liars."
Favorite food or meal: Mashed potatoes and gravy and corn and green beans.