My’Asia Alston Makes Hudson Valley History
Sports Editor
My’Asia Alston just signed a letter of intent to attend and play basketball at Merrimack College. She finished the 2014-15 season a 3rd team All-American and has made a name for herself in the history books for women’s basketball here at Hudson Valley Community College.
In terms of Hudson Valley records, Alston is 1st all-time in points per game, averaging 24.1 in a season. She also holds the record for career average points per game at 21.8. She is 4th in steals in a season with 112. And she also shares the ball with 117 assists, which is 9th all-time.
As far as honors, the list is just as long as her achievements. Alston finished last season as the 5th leading scorer in the nation. This paved the way for her being selected as a 3rd team All-American. She was also 1st team All-Region and the Mountain Valley Collegiate Conference Player of the Year.
It wasn’t an easy road that Alston traveled to reach her accomplishments. In her first two years at Hudson Valley, she was academically ineligible for a season and a half, and it looked as if her basketball career might not make it to the court.
“I wasn’t really expecting to go to school at all,” said Alston. “I’ve been here three years and I didn’t play my first year because I was ineligible, and I came back and now I have a full ride scholarship.”
Alston has come a long way, making strides in and out of the classroom to earn a scholarship to Merrimack. Merrimack puts an emphasis on their scholar-athletes: over half of their athletes are on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll list. In order to make the list, an athlete needs to have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
“My’Asia has worked hard and matured over the past three years,” said Hudson Valley women’s basketball coach Kathleen Russell. “She is quite a leader who consistently gave 100% every day. I am so proud and excited for her as she embarks on this new journey at Merrimack College.”
Merrimack’s women’s basketball coach, Monique LeBlanc, is eager to have Alston on the team. “We are very excited to add My’Asia to our recruiting class heading into 2015-2016,” said LeBlanc. “My’Asia will fit well in our system, as she is a guard who can push the ball and find teammates like a true PG, and also is a very good scorer.”
Alston is going to a team that finished 3rd in the Northeast Division. She also brings a point per game average that almost doubles anyone else’s on the team.
“I’m excited and happy. I can’t wait to go,” sail Alston. She also feels a little nervous about taking the next step. “I’ve never been away from home before. It’s going to be interesting.”
Alston has played basketball most of her life, and her whole family bonds around the sport. “Ever since I was younger, I’ve played with my Dad growing up. It’s a part of my life. Everyone in my family plays basketball.”
When Alston visited Merrimack, it left a major impression. “I loved it. The team was really supportive and took me in,” said Alston. “I was really nervous going there, and they were very comforting.”
Alston left her mark at Hudson Valley and looks to carry that same success to the next level. She plays in the same conference as St. Rose, so there’s a good chance we will be able to see her showcase her talents again in the Albany area.