Matthew Knaub: Recovered from injury, Fleetwood girls basketball's Alexis Hess hopes to lead the Tigers to new heights in 2021-22
Dec. 12—In June, Fleetwood junior Alexis Hess sat on her couch, unable to walk.
Hess, one of the top girls basketball players in the state, was recovering from surgery that placed cadaver cartilage in her knee to supplement missing cartilage caused by an osteochondral defect. The operation and ensuing recovery forced Hess to miss the entire AAU season.
"It was tough for me mentally, seeing all these other girls playing, and I had to sit down on the couch and watch them play," Hess said. "I stuck it out. I knew in my mind that if I just worked hard, that I'd be back to playing."
After being unable to walk for two months following the surgery on June 22, Hess worked hard throughout the fall on her recovery. Despite the challenges, she said she believes she would play basketball at a high level again.
"I know I had a really huge and positive support system behind me," said Hess, a third-team All-State pick in Class 5A last season. "It helped boost my confidence in playing again."
Ahead of schedule, Hess returned to game action on Friday night in Fleetwood's season-opening 47-40 win over Conestoga Valley. The Tigers fell to 1-1 with a 32-29 loss to Lebanon on Saturday.
"I honestly didn't think I'd be ready for the season, but I worked really hard during my physical therapy," Hess said. "I'm ready."
Hess, a guard, led the team with 21 points in Friday's victory over the Buckskins. She scored six Saturday.
"I'm so thankful for the surgery," Hess said. "I'm grateful, because now that I'm getting better, I feel like I can do a lot more and get down the court."
Last season, Fleetwood finished 6-3 in Berks III, 10-7 overall. The Tigers were eliminated in the first round of the BCIAA and District 3 Class 5A playoffs.
As a sophomore, Hess led Fleetwood in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. A two-time All-Berks selection, she wore a brace and often played through heavy swelling in her knee.
This season, along with a now-healthy Hess, the Tigers also return senior Julia Kaskey, who averaged 8.8 points per game last season and is a two-time all-division selection. With experienced leaders, first-year coach Steve Zeller said he believes Fleetwood can make a bigger splash in the postseason.
"I have high hopes for us this year," Zeller said. "We look to compete for the county championship."
While Hess has led the Tigers in scoring since she was a freshman, Zeller said she isn't hesitant to pass the ball.
"She sees the court, and she's not selfish," Zeller said. "She loves her teammates (and) she likes when they're involved."
Hess is being recruited by Division I schools across the country. This summer, she will be living in Ohio and playing for Ohio United AAU, her second season with the squad.
"There's no harder worker," Zeller said. "The skills and things she has are not by accident. She has a natural gift, but she has worked."
As a high school student-athlete, an AAU basketball player and a highly sought-after recruit, Hess has a lot on her plate. However, when she steps on the court, she said she is focused solely on doing her best.
"I have such a love for the game that I don't allow things to really get to me," Hess said. "I know there are people looking, but if I just play my game and do what I have to do, I just know that things will follow with it."
