Hard work drives Alyssa Jurges to summit

With the basketball game tied at 51 and only five seconds remaining, Alyssa Jurges stepped up to the free-throw line.

If Jurges made the shots, her Providence squad would upset Joliet Catholic, the 2014 Class 3A runner-up, at JCA’s gym. If she missed, it would go into overtime and Providence could lose a close one to a huge rival.

The pressure was on.

She sank both without breaking a sweat.

Anyone who has seen Jurges play would not be surprised she rose to the occasion. The 5-foot-8 guard had 569 points this season and ranks second in Providence scoring with 1,712 career points.

The senior has been recognized so frequently in the past two years that listing her awards and achievements could fill half this article.

The one thing that makes Alyssa Jurges the Herald-News Player of the Year is not her points or her accomplishments, however. What separates her from others is what she brings every second she is on the court.

Even though she has natural talent, her hard work is what makes her talent even better and enables her to shine. Jurges gives 100 percent every play – and, according to her coach, she plays the same way in practice.

“Alyssa walked in the door with a goal and a purpose. She was the most relentless player year-in and year-out working toward that goal,” Providence coach Eileen Copenhaver said. “She was one hardest-working kids I’ve ever known, the most unassuming.

“She played 126 consecutive games and only missed two practices in four years, one being completely out of her control. Here’s a kid who does what she’s supposed to. She is very consistent, dependable, reliable and does everything to the best of her ability without pressure. She has fun playing the game, so she’s able to accomplish a lot of things and make it look like fun.”

AN EARLY START

Jurges developed that hard-work attitude early on, starting in third grade. As her first coach, her father pushed her to get better, but with each passing year he pushed her less to teach her that to be a great player, she had to want to get better all by herself.

Even before high school, Jurges pushed herself hard and started setting tough goals.

“Fifth grade, I knew,” Jurges said. “I told my parents that I wanted to get a scholarship for basketball, and they told me that it would come with a lot of hard work. I was up for the challenge because I knew I wanted to be playing. I didn’t want to stop at high school. I knew that I wanted to play at the next level.”

The summer before her senior year, she accomplished that goal. Jurges committed to playing at Lewis, one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the country.

Her versatility attracted many schools. The four-year Celtics starter can hit 3s, shoot from midrange, reads the game well and can play a physical defensive game. Although many colleges were interested in her, only one stood out.

After visiting the campus and meeting the coaches and players, Jurges compared each college to Lewis. One day, she decided she did not want to look any further. She found a new home that felt like Providence.

When she talks about her future as a Flyer, her eyes light up, and excitement fills her voice. The Flyers also are happy to have her for the next four years.

“Alyssa is going to be a great fit in our program,” Lewis coach Lisa Carlsen said. “She’s going to have an opportunity to make an immediate impact.”

FAVORITE MOMENT

If she plays the same role she did for Providence, Jurges will be an impact player for the Flyers. She had many great moments playing for the Celtics; but when asked what her favorite moment playing at Providence was, the answer might be a little surprising.

She thought for a second, then smiled and said beating Joliet Catholic.

It wasn’t breaking the school record for points in a game (36). It wasn’t receiving any of her numerous individual accolades.

“That’s not me. I’m a humble person,” Jurges said. “No doubt I get excited [about individual accomplishments], but I’m not the type of person who says, ‘Guess who had 30 points?’ That’s not me.

“I’m all about the team. I want to win. I know that I have to get my teammates involved. They’re great players. If one of them is hot, I’m dishing them the ball the whole game. I’m all about winning the game, a team effort and having fun.”

For a girl who likes to win, she’ll have a lot of opportunity to do so in the next four years.

Working hard since third grade has helped Jurges get to the level she is at now. The level where she can dominate a game with 35 points on 73 percent shooting from the field and 90 percent from the free-throw line and adding five assists, two blocks and two steals – as she accomplished in Providence’s season opener.

She also thanks one person for being able to play at that level.

“Coach Copenhaver has spent so much time shooting with me and helping me become the player that I am today,” Jurges said. “I can’t thank her enough for all that she’s done. My basketball experience at Providence has been awesome. I don’t think I could have had this experience anywhere else. I loved it.”