With one signature, LaLonde makes two dreams come true
By Brian Questel
November 17, 2010
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112210 LaLonde
Promo: LaLonde makes it official, signs with Air Force
With one signature, LaLonde makes two dreams come true
By Brian Questel
When Alex LaLonde verbally committed to attend the United States Air Force Academy, it was the unofficial start to his college career.
Its official now.
The Wooster High School senior signed on the dotted line on the first day of the official signing period Nov. 10, making that verbal commitment official that he was going to be winging it to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Col., in an effort to join the Falcons basketball team.
Its a big relief, said LaLonde, a two-time MVP for the Generals. Im definitely excited. Its a dream come true. Ever since Ive been a little kid it was my goal to play Div. I basketball. I signed the papers, its a big relief and it felt really nice.
LaLonde is coming off a season where he averaged 14.2 points a game for the Generals, who were 14-6 overall and 10-4 and tied for second in the Ohio Cardinal Conference. He played small forward and shooting guard for Wooster, and its his touch from beyond the arc that caught the eye of Air Force staff during a tournament in West Virginia.
The relationship blossomed from there, leading to his Nov. 10 signing.
Ill go to Colorado Springs in early July and that starts basic training for 14 days, said LaLonde. Ill attend prep school then. They are bringing in 10-12 (players) in my class, but not all will stay. Generally four get into the Academy to play.
That academic excellence was what LaLonde was looking for from a college, and not just an opportunity to play hoops.
Ultimately I hope to major in business, said LaLonde, who carries a 3.75 GPA and is in the top 10 percent of his class of 274 students. I know the academy has rigorous classes, and (my classes) will be shaped around that and what pertains to me most. When I was narrowing down schools, what I was looking for first was the academics of the school. Thats why Columbia was in the top two and for a while so was Div. III University of Chicago. It was definitely academics first – it just happened to play out well with Air Force being Div. I.
The Falcons are hoping that the 6-foot-5 LaLonde, who was a first-team All-District IV and All-Ohio Cardinal Conference pick a year ago, can help them offensively.
Im being counted on as being a shooter, but I also dont want be one-dimensional, said LaLonde. I have to improve my ball handling. That level also is so physical and I have to be stronger to help match other players athleticism. But there are two sides to the floor, so I have be able to defend all other players athletically and physically as well.
When Wooster coach Craig Martin arrived at Wooster, he didnt know he had a future D-I player on his roster or what LaLondes long-term goals were.
I knew he had the skills and after the first couple times I knew he had the work ethic and desire to improve, said Martin. But, the biggest thing from that first time that summer is that hes grown 3-4 inches. Hes been given the height with the skills to play.
Definitely one of his strengths is the ability to shoot the ball from deep. Hes put in a lot of hours in the gym over the last three years. At the end of last season and over the summer, hes improved in all aspects of his game. He can put the ball on the floor and attack the basket and his ball handling has gotten better. He can shoot from the perimeter, but he has a really good mid-range game as well.
Obviously kids aspire to play at the highest level, but you also have to find a good fit for the kid as well, said Martin. What I know of and heard of his visit, as well as talking to their coaches, it sounds like a good fit.
Martin helped in the recruiting process, putting together such things as a video highlight and a recommendation letter, but in the end, it was LaLondes effort that created his opportunity.
Alex has grown in his leadership ability, said Martin. The first two years he was on varsity he had a group of juniors and then last year eight seniors ahead of him. He was a leader, but he had people in classes above. This year, as a senior, hes been vocal for us and encouraged other players and the team. He definitely has been one of our best players the last two years, but weve been a deep team and balanced.
This year hes stepped up as the go-to person. The main focus of our opponents will be to know where Alex is and to stop Alex. Its a role he relishes, and Im sure hell step up and be a leader.
