Senior Allyson Britton has done what many athletes see as impossible. Britton has become the fourth player to score 1,000 points in the WC women's basketball programs nine-year history. "She plays hard and encourages the team to do so," said tri-captain and long time teammate Nicole Tuscan. "She is a great leader, one that can be respected and admired at the same time... one that can be counted on, on and off the court. I respect how hard she works to achieve her goals."
Some of those goals have come at a heavy cost. Britton has had to battle back through two ACL knee surgeries since high school, the most recent one occurring over the 2001 summer. During a summer league game in Philadelphia, PA, Britton ended up tearing her ACL and going through knee surgery at the end of July to repair the tear. "After that, I had to do rehab and work out so that I could be in shape for the start of the season," said Britton. "I really appreciate the help of the trainers with my rehab, and getting me back to play."
The dedication and relentless pursuit to return to a healthy condition required the help and guidance of her teammates and her coaches. "My coaches have been really understanding and positive with my career and especially this year," added Britton. "I was limited in the beginning of the season in practice and in games, so it was pretty frustrating. The coaches worked with me and helped me with my game as well as emotionally." Head coach Lanee' Cole-Smith said "she rebounded back this fall after her second reconstructive knee surgery. It's rewarding to coach a player with such determination to play."
The dedication paid off in this season when Britton returned to her starting position and helped lead the team to key wins over Centennial Conference rivals Ursinus, Bryn Mawr and Haverford. With just 120 points needed to break the mark at the start of the season, Britton tapped in the final point on January 19 against Haverford. "I was just really happy and relieved," said Britton on reaching the plateau. "I had known how many points I needed, I felt some pressure, but I had told my teammates to shoot if they were open and not worry about me."
"Scoring 1,000 points in her career at WC is a great accomplishment," added Coach Cole-Smith. "She joins an elite group of young ladies who top the record books."
Along with reaching this fascinating goal, Britton is also working hard on both ends of the court to help her team win as much as possible. She is currently averaging 25 minutes per game where she is shooting nearly 40 percent from the field and 75 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, Britton averages 5.4 rebounds a game, 10.3 points per game, and is tied for the team lead in steals with 25. With a total of 154 points on the season thus far, Britton currently has 1,034 points and will more than likely end up as the Shorewomen's third all-time highest scorer for a career.
The accomplishments on the court are well balanced by other activities at WC. Britton is an active member as a Student Athlete Mentor and in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. After graduation this May she plans to fulfill the requirements needed to take the MCAT this summer and continue on to medical school.
Britton views herself as "pretty competitive in almost everything I do, which pushes me to work hard to reach my goals. I feel that my leadership qualities have been the most beneficial for me, and a way that I have been able to help my teammates on and off the court." Above all the statistics, honors, and personal accomplishments, Britton wanted to express her overwhelming thanks to all of her teammates, past and present, because without their support, on and off the court, she would not have had the opportunity to fulfill her goals.
Be sure to come see the newest member of the 1,000-point club, as Britton and her Shorewomen take on Ursinus College on February 6 at 7:00 pm in the Cain Gym.
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