FRESHMAN YEAR • Made Varsity basketball team • Voted all region basketball player • Won the state track 800m race • Third in the state open 400m race


SOPHOMORE YEAR • Runner up in state 800m race


JUNIOR YEAR • Scored her thousandth point for Decatur • Runner up region basketball player • Made all state basketball team • Invited to play on Nike Skills Academy Travel team


Queen officially signed with Jacksonville University on Nov. 10, 2011. From left: Queen Aford, Cater Wilson, Angelia Reeves (Alford’s mom.)


SENIOR YEAR • Signed with Jacksonville University


to do together while they were growing up. “We would wake up in the morning and go out to play basketball at the basketball court right by our house,” she said. Her mom also plays a big role in Al-


ford’s life. “My mom is very strong. She is a mother of ten and raised us by herself, this influences me and motivates me to do bet- ter,” she said. Alford describes her mom as her biggest fan. Alford’s mom has the same feelings to-


wards her daughter. “I’m inspired by her intelligence and her ability to lead – she’s a wonderful, wonderful child,” she said. Alford and her mom enjoy being able to


bond over talking about her games. She is very proud of her daughter for her academ- ics as well as her athletic abilities. “I’ll miss her, but I’m happy she’ll be out there doing what she wants to do to better in her life,” she said. Alford’s home away from home is within her team. “Tey’re like sisters to me,” she said, “Tey’re working just like me ... they push me, and I push them. Tat’s the only way we can get better.” Tis strong team mentality was espe-


cially evident a few years ago. “When we were playing a couple years ago, we didn’t have as many fans [as we do now]. We just


had each other,” she said. “Tat’s something very special to me because it is something that continues to help us grow as a team.” Te team was especially supportive when


Alford scored her thousandth point last year. “My teammates helped me with [get- ting the last few points] – they were cheer- ing me on and encouraging me,” she said. Te strong team dynamic is apparent when watching the girls play. Many of her teammates look up to her as a leader and role model on and off the court. “She’s re- ally easy to relate to in any situation,” team- mate Kristin Munson said. Te team is definitely something that


Alford will miss most about Decatur. “I’m going to miss seeing them in the hallway and cracking jokes and miss us dancing around before a game or before a practice in the locker room,” she said. Alford can be found working hard seven


days a week, with a coach, with her team and on her own. “[Alford] has a tremen- dous work ethic … she practices as hard as she plays in games,” Bill Roberts, girls bas- ketball coach said. Now that it’s basketball season, Alford


is focusing heavily on her game. She also sees the season as a time to keep up with her schoolwork. “She not only has a great


DECEMBER 2011 • CARPE DIEM 29


work ethic on the court, but also in the classroom,” Roberts said. Her hard work in the classroom has paid off in the recruiting process and has helped her get into Jack- sonville University. Alford describes herself as a perfection-


ist. She recalls many times that her need to get everything right has become over- whelming. She believes she is getting past this stubborn mentality the older she gets. “Sometimes you just have to let things go —those mistakes were meant to happen,” she said. For Alford, basketball relieves stress, and


she can’t wait to hit the court.“[Alford] is the hardest worker I’ve ever met,” Munson said. “She’s that person that if she doesn’t get a shot down or if she finds any kind of weakness she will work on it till 3:00 am ... She always strives to be the best.” To Alford, basketball is more than an ex-


tracurricular activity. “I don’t come from the wealthiest family, so I know that basketball is something that is going to help me get through college ... I want to use basketball to get my education. It’s a win-win situa- tion.” n


Photo by Meredith Broyles


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