Alexis Hess is rebounding in a big way, and there’s plenty more to come

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

The exciting part, or the frightening part if you’re one of Fleetwood’s opponents, is Alexis Hess is still barely scratching the surface.

It’s not youth that’s her obstacle now. She’s a veteran of two-plus varsity seasons and has 749 career points. Recovery from knee surgery is her challenge these days.

Fleetwood’s 6-1 guard was handed the most painful setback of all over the summer. Basketball was momentarily taken away.

“I was stuck on the couch for months,” Hess said. “When I was first able to walk, it was like a new thing for me. It was really weird. My first steps to run were off. I honestly didn’t think I’d be ready for this season. To be able to play is amazing.”

Hess is one of those players who piles up numbers quickly and quietly. It looks like she’s having a pedestrian game and then the scorebook says she has 22 points and seven rebounds.

That was her line Tuesday night. Hess helped Fleetwood knock off Wyomissing 49-33 in a Berks III matchup at Fleetwood.

The All-State and two-time All-Berks selection is the best player on the floor even when she’s not at full strength.

“I think we’re starting to get a glimpse of the player she is,” Fleetwood coach Steve Zeller said. “You see what she can do even with them game-planning against her.

“She can do it all. She rebounds for us. She gives assists. Everything. I just see her getting better all the time.”

Hess finished tied for the league lead at 17.5 points per game as a sophomore. She battled through the bad knee and tried to lift an undermanned roster that only had seven players.

Surgery took her off the floor for the entire AAU schedule. That meant no games with Ohio United and no chance to showcase her talent for college coaches.

For a player who’s always in the gym and always has the ball in her hands, it was a strange turn of events. Hess’ only basketball activity was dribbling while seated in a chair. Her brace was so stiff she couldn’t bend her knee. She limped around the house.

Despite all of that, Hess shook off the rust and poured in 21 points in the season opener against Conestoga Valley and a career-high 27 against Bethlehem Catholic over the Christmas break. She operates on a different level than most high school players.

Hess changed the trajectory of the game against Wyomissing in 14 seconds. That’s how long it took her to drill a 25-foot 3-pointer and turn a steal into an uncontested layup. Fleetwood’s lead swelled from two points to seven. The Tigers were up nine at halftime and were never threatened in the second half.

Wyomissing (1-1, 4-4) is in the midst of a youth movement. The Spartans had three freshmen in the starting lineup Tuesday: Amaya Stewart, Alexis Hardy and Audrey Hurleman. Those players are the centerpieces of the program’s next few years. But there will be growing pains.

Stewart finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. She was often guarded by Hess in an interesting matchup of completely different 6-footers. A guard and a center.

Fleetwood traveled to State College for a holiday tournament and took its lumps against the host Lions and Becahi. Zeller was confident the experience would help his team.

“I knew that was going to pay off and it did,” Zeller said. “This was a team effort. You can see that. Hess can make the big play here and there but you need the supporting cast. We got that tonight. I’m very pleased.”

Julia Kaskey, a two-time all division pick, finished with a season-high 14 points for Fleetwood.

Fleetwood (2-0, 4-3), Wyomissing and Schuylkill Valley figure to tussle for the Berks III title. The Tigers took the first matchup between these teams. They travel to Schuylkill Valley, which is 9-0, Monday.

Hess, who has more than a dozen major Division I offers, said recruiting slowed while she was recovering. It figures to pick up again once she rejoins the AAU circuit.

Conditioning has been the biggest difficulty since her return. There’s simply no way to get into game shape without playing games. Each night she gets a little stronger. That means a player who is averaging 16.3 points, third-most in Berks, will be even more dangerous come playoff time.

“It was really tough watching other girls do what I love,” Hess said. “Especially when I try to play at such a high level.”

The long, painful summer is behind Hess. A bright future lay ahead.