Alena Madero was a consistent performer for the Permian girls basketball team this season, averaging a double-double for the Lady Panthers.
That production paid off in the form of several scholarship offers.
Madero, a 6-foot-1 post, announced her decision Tuesday, signing a letter of intent with Texas Wesleyan University during a signing ceremony at Permian High School.
“I feel like I’ve put in a lot of hard work,” Madero said. “My parents (Sonja and Julio Madero) really helped me out with this. All the coaches that I’ve had have helped me get to where I am today.
“I’m glad that Texas Wesleyan saw something in me. It’s just a nice school and everything. I know I’m going to do big things at that school.”
Madero averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as Permian finished 12-20. A first-team All-District 2-6A selection, Madero played a key role in keeping the Lady Panthers in playoff contention until the final game of the season.
“Alena loves the game,” Permian girls coach Angela Braziel-Smith said. “She’s come a long way. She’s been here three years. She’s progressed every practice, every game. She works hard in the offseason, during the season, during the postseason, just all of it. She puts forth the work to become great.
“Alena’s done a lot of great things for us throughout the years. I’m really going to miss her next year. She’s been a tremendous asset of this program. She’s done things that I haven’t seen in a long time and she’s not going to do anything but continue to get better.”
Braziel-Smith said Madero was able to increase her production as the season progressed even as opponents began concentrating more of their defensive effort on her the second time through the district schedule.
“She still made adjustments,” Braziel-Smith said. “That’s one thing we saw watching game film and just seeing her maneuver and adjust to whatever the defense had to offer. If we passed it inside and they double-teamed, she passed it outside. She’s a very unselfish player
“Alena’s developed an outside shot, as well. She’s pretty dangerous on both sides of the court. It’s just a matter of her continuing to develop.”
Madero chose Texas Wesleyan, which went 14-17 this season, after being recruited by Texas Tech, Colorado Christian, Regis, University of the Southwest and Gannon (Pa.).
“I can’t wait for next year,” Madero said. “I can’t wait to play and show the coach my skills and everything. I know the girls that are there now are great and they do a lot to keep up their reputation.”
