Wauconda junior Alessandra Rodriguez faced her toughest opponent before the season even started.
Rodriguez had high expectations after coming off the Bulldogs’ bench for two seasons, but back-to-back illnesses over the summer set her back.
“In June, I suffered from a stomach flu and then got the regular flu and lost 10 to 12 pounds,” she said. “I was already skinny.”
The illnesses sapped not only Rodriguez’s strength but also her desire to play basketball. She believed she was losing ground.
“I was really close over the summer to quitting,” she said. “I was sick a second time and wasn’t playing the way I used to be playing, and seeing everyone improve while I was stuck behind, it made me realize I didn’t want to do it anymore.”
Rodriguez said junior varsity coach Emily Ellison convinced her to get on the court for a shootaround in late September. The impromptu session turned out to be an emotional experience.
“I started to get the itch back to play during my volleyball season,” Rodriguez said. “When I shot around with coach Ellison, she told me I was a good player and should at least try. It made me feel emotional. I started crying during the practice. I had not touched a basketball in months.
“It was an hour and a half of me shooting. I realized I didn’t want to waste all the time I had put into basketball.”
Wauconda coach Jaime Dennis is happy Rodriguez decided to return to the sport. The 5-foot-9 forward is averaging 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals for the undefeated Bulldogs (16-0, 6-0), who are the front-runners in the Northern Lake County Conference.
On Friday, Rodriguez scored 11 points as Wauconda defeated three-time defending conference champion Grayslake Central for the first time “in over 20 years,” according to Dennis.
“Alessandra battled some injuries and illnesses that kept her out in her first two years, but this year she has been healthy and playing really good,” Dennis said. “She’s starting to blossom.”
Rodriguez’s defensive effort against Grayslake Central junior guard/forward Peyton Hoffmann fueled the big win.
“This year has been amazing,” Rodriguez said. “The coaches trust me guarding some really good players. Peyton is very good, and it was tough guarding her. I just did my job.”
Wauconda junior point guard Alexia Manalo said Rodriguez can guard anyone.
“Because of her height and speed, she dominates in the post,” Manalo said. “But she can even lock down shorter and quicker guards.”
Wauconda shooting guard Sarah Palmer said Rodriguez can make an impact on a game in multiple ways.
“Alessandra is basically the Swiss knife version of a basketball player, from rebounding to lockdown defense to finishing in the paint,” Palmer said. “Whenever we are playing a well-known team, she is always the one we look to for defense. Her length and athleticism give us such an advantage on the court. When she is on point, there is pretty much no stopping her.
“You also will never catch her looking down on the team. She is one of the most encouraging teammates I have ever had.”
Rodriguez is encouraged by the Bulldogs’ play this season.
“Being undefeated means a lot,” she said. “We have put so much hard work in practices, but this team knows how to have fun and to get it done.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
