Meet Alyssa Jones, Roland-Story's quiet energizer on the basketball court

Shortly after taking over the Roland-Story girls basketball team in 2021, new Norse head coach Maddie Gelber could see she had something special in freshman Alyssa Jones.

Jones gave her all every play and was fearless going up against bigger, more athletic players. She clearly displayed a passion for the game, but it was hard to tell at times due to her stoic, mild-mannered nature.

“It took me about six months to get a smile out of her,” Gelber said. “But she’s got that kind of killer instinct. She’s super-competitive. Every drill in practice is the most important thing. She’s the coach’s dream from that perspective because you’ve never got to worry about her taking plays off or anything like that.”

Now a sophomore, Jones has emerged as one of the top players for Roland-Story. She's averaging 8.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists for a 7-6 Norse team trying to find its identity after the loss of all-state guard/forward Reagan Barkema, now a freshman at Bradley.

“When she comes in we know we’re going to get a little spark going,” Roland-Story senior guard Madi Bauer said. “She has a mindset that she’s going to get points and it’s not just her scoring. It’s her rebounding and all areas of the court.”

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Jones is listed at 5-foot-7. Despite her lack of size she has no problem challenging bigger players off the drive or battling inside.

“I always try to get to the rim when I can and help my team out,” Jones said. “I just catch it, drive and get that edge on people. If it’s not there I can get these shooters (involved).”

Jones had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists during Tuesday's 50-39 victory over Heart of Iowa Conference rival Nevada in Story City. She's averaged 10.3 points over the last nine games, including a 21-point effort against South Hamilton Jan. 10 and 18 points against Perry Dec. 9.

“She didn’t start the year she wanted to, but she’s really come into her own these last couple games,” Gelber said. “She’s a huge piece for us coming off the bench.”

Jones has gotten to this point thanks to her tireless work ethic.

“Alyssa is a kid that shoots the most on her own of anybody on the team,” Gelber said. “She’s somebody that we as a coaching staff and her teammates are just supremely confident in.”

She also displays a deep love for the game of basketball. Asked what her favorite part of the game was, Jones had a simple reply.

“All of it,” Jones said. “I love being with these people every day.”

Her teammates love her back.

“She’ll go into a brick wall for our whole team,” Roland-Story guard Claire Truesdell said. “She’s not afraid of anybody.”

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Truesdell leads the Norse in scoring (10.7 points per game) and is a sophomore classmate of Jones. She arrived at Roland-Story in sixth grade and has enjoyed playing alongside Jones ever since.

“Alyssa is one of the hardest working players I know,” Truesdell said. “I’ve been playing with her since I moved here and she’s one of my favorite teammates.”

The hard work and love of the game has not only earned Jones the respect and love of her teammates, but it has also made her the perfect weapon off the bench. As the "sixth player," Jones has done a phenomenal job of coming into the game and giving the team a boost when it was needed.

During Tuesday's win over Nevada, the Norse fell behind 17-9 early, but Jones came up with two timely baskets to keep her team within striking distance until it could regroup. Then Roland-Story went on an 18-0 run to take control of the game.

“I like being able to be that energizer that comes in and helps the team whenever I can,” Jones said.

Jones may not be the loudest person in the room. She expresses herself through her play and her teammates and coaches love her for it.

“Alyssa has to be one of the most aggressive players I’ve ever played with,” Bauer said. “She has kind of this quiet confidence I really admire. She's just a driven person.”

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Alyssa Jones provides a huge spark for the Roland-Story girls