SPIRIT OF ALABAMA: LADY BUCS SAY STUDENT ASSISTANT IS PART OF THE FAMILY

Spirit Of Alabama Web

By WVUA 23 Student Reporter Bryn Caswell

The Shelton State Community College women’s basketball team has gone through this entire season undefeated, and next week they’re aiming to bring home their first National Championship.

There’s no doubt that the team’s chemistry serves as the driving force behind their success, but there’s someone else on the team who makes sure they’re not just a team.

Team manager and student assistant Allison Gabriel drives them to play with their hearts instead of their heads, and make the team feel like a family.

“Anything we do, she’s just one of us,” said Shelton State women’s basketball coach Madonna Thompson.

Allison, or Big Al as her teammates call her, has been working with the Lady Buccaneers for the past six years. But her job is so much more than handling the team’s affairs.

“She brings so much to the team,” Thompson said. “I just think it’s made all of us better people having her on the team.”

From rounding up stray balls to holding up defense cards during a game, Allison is willing to do anything to help. Thompson said she really is a team member just like anyone else. And that means a little yelling in her direction if there’s some kind of issue.

“Everyone around her gets yelled at if they mess up,” Thompson said. “It’s real simple around her. If you do your job and you ever slip, I’m going to let you know. So yeah, she works hard.”

But the yelling bit is an outright lie, Allison insisted with a laugh. She loves her coach and teammates, and they love her right back.

Win or lose, they do it as a team and as a family.

“She’s with us every day,” said player Savannah Reier. “She goes through everything we go through. We love her and she’s like family, so it’s great to have her around.”

Allison is one of the best recruiters they’ve ever had, Thompson said.

“She knows everything that goes in here,” Thompson said. “She knows our routine, what’s expected. She has a huge role on this team.”

Allison said she’s intending on staying with the team even after she graduates with her degree in office management.

“They treat me like I’m important to think and part of their lives, and I enjoy every bit of it,” she said.


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Categories: Local News, Spirit of Alabama