Alexiss Griffin Cape Coral Seahawks Senior Basketball

Over the course of a season, athletes tend to experience highs and lows. For Cape Coral High senior Alexiss Griffin, it only took one day this season.

On Nov. 17, hours before the Seahawks’ season-opening game against Fort Myers, Griffin signed a Division I basketball scholarship with Kennesaw State University. Later that evening, she went down with an ankle injury in the Seahawks’ 46-29 win.

She sprained four ligaments in her left ankle and was out of the lineup for three weeks and seven games.

The Daily Breeze Female Athlete of the week tried to make the best of the difficult situation.

“It was hard,” said the 5-foot-9 Griffin. “I just tried to support my team as much as I could from the bench and still try to be a leader in practice.”

Though Griffin has developed into a strong leader over her four years with the team, her versatility and overall talent on the court is vital to the team’s success.

She has returned to the lineup and provided her usual production and clutch play.

In a 50-47 victory over Gulf Coast last week, she scored 20 points and made a driving layup in the closing seconds to put the Seahawks ahead for good. She scored 14 points in a 67-53 win over North Fort Myers later in the week.

Though Griffin still wears a brace on the injured ankle, she said she feels close to 100 percent now.

During the time she missed, several teammates got increased playing time. The team’s depth and experience showed during that time and they’re a stronger team now because of it.

The Seahawks (15-7) earned the No. 2 seed for next week’s District 5A-15 Tournament.

“Our team stayed strong,” she said. “We have seven seniors, so a lot of leadership and experience. It’s helped us on and off the court.”

Honorable mentions:

McKenna Duquette, sophomore, Bishop Verot soccer – Duquette scored two goals in the Vikings’ win over Dunbar in the district semifinals and two more against Cardinal Mooney in a district final win.

Jardin McCarthy, senior, Cape Coral basketball – McCarthy scored 20 points in the Seahawks’ victory over North Fort Myers, surpassing the 1,000-point mark for her career.