Alana Robinson reaches 1,000 career points with Pope John Lions
SPARTA, N.J. — Pope John XXIII High School senior Alana Robinson was only 5 points away from a milestone that not many people hit in their high school basketball careers: 1,000 points. Robinson made a 3-pointer in the second quarter of the January 21, 2022 game against the Montville Mustangs to reach that incredible milestone.
Over the last four years, Robinson has built her character involving a good work ethic and the ability to play hard in every game.
鈥淚 have known Robinson since fifth grade and I鈥檝e seen her grow and come out of her shell more,鈥� said Pope John junior Kylie Squier, a good friend and teammate of Robinson. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping I can use the leadership and friendship skills that she shows us on and off the court.鈥�
Robinson participated in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball throughout most of her childhood, playing with high school students as early as sixth grade.
鈥淧laying AAU ball as a sixth-grader with high schoolers prepared me for the high school level game that is fast, but not as fast as AAU ball,鈥� said Robinson.
Playing at Pope John has given Robinson the opportunity to develop her talent in a sport she loves with teammates that are great friends on and off the court.
鈥淚 want to show the girls that if they work hard, they will succeed in anything that they do, on and off the court,鈥� said Robinson. 鈥溾�楤ring a competitive edge to everything鈥� is another thing I tell them.鈥�
Pope John senior Faith Pappas has played with Robinson over the past three years and has seen her grow in basketball as a teammate and as a friend as well.
鈥淩obinson is a great player,鈥� said Pappas. 鈥淗er stats show that, but she鈥檚 also an amazing friend and teammate which I am grateful to have and I鈥檓 going to miss that next year.鈥�
Robinson鈥檚 Pope John teammates were excited on her behalf when the 1,000 points were hit knowing that, to Robinson,1,000 was just a number.
鈥淩obinson leads by example and yes, to her it鈥檚 just a number,鈥� said Squier. 鈥淏ut as a teammate of hers, it鈥檚 a moment that shouldn鈥檛 be forgotten since it鈥檚 a memory that will hopefully stick with her in the future.鈥�
Once Robinson hit the 1,000, she led the team to a big win over the Mustangs.
Robinson wants to enjoy her final season up until the last buzzer.
鈥淭o me, the 1,000 points is just a number, but it鈥檚 a really good accomplishment and as long as the team continues to play well and win, I鈥檓 happy with moving on from the milestone,鈥� said Robinson.
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