Congratulations to future Cyclone Alexis Yackley for being named South Dakota Ms. Basketball!!
Ames Trib Article:
Future Cyclone becomes Ms. Basketball
By: Bobby La Gesse
05/06/2008
Updated 05/06/2008 12:38:36 PM CDT
Not even a knee injury could slow down Alexis Yackley.
The Iowa State women's basketball signee overcame a torn ACL in June to win the South Dakota Ms. Basketball award in a banquet Sunday after leading Sully Buttes to their second consecutive Class B state title.
"It was just unbelievable, everything that has happened," Yackley said. "Coming off the injury, winning this honor is great and this being my senior year was even more special."
The knee injury kept Yackley, a point, guard, on the sideline until December. But when she returned, Yackley picked up where she left off, averaging 18 points, seven assists and five steals to win the Ms. Basketball award her mother, Kristi and her aunt, Kelli, were both finalists for during their playing days.
Yackley played high school ball as an eighth grader, starting every game except for her first. She led Sully Buttes to five straight state tournament appearances. She was named the South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year this season and earned all-state honors three times.
For her career, Yackley scored 1,748 points, grabbed 443 rebounds and set a school record for assists (739) and steals (557).
"We are all excited for Alexis and her family,"
ISU coach Bill Fennelly said. "This is a great honor, especially after coming back from an injury. It is a special way to end a tremendous high school career."
The 6-foot guard said it took her until the end of the state tournament to start playing like she did before the injury. And since her season ended, Yackley has been shooting 400 to 500 shots a night while continuing to strengthen her knee with an assortment of exercises so she'll be ready for her first season in Ames.
"I felt my best in March," Yackley said. "It happened at a good time for my team. My knee feels real good now. I can't wait to get to Iowa State."
