Player Highlight: Alex McLaren, Women's Basketball

As women's basketball starts a new chapter at Lakeland College this season, a rookie with a unique journey is set to lead a fully freshman squad.

Forward Alex McLaren is set to compete for the Rustlers this fall, having been the only member of the roster with training at the post-secondary level. Head coach Todd Warnick said she has the ability to impact the roster on and off the court.

"We are excited to have Alex join us as a Rustler. Her maturity and high-performance experience will be invaluable to this young team," he said.

After graduating from Jasper Place High School in Edmonton back in 2021, McLaren went to Mount Royal to compete for the Cougars. Shortly after arriving on campus, she was diagnosed with a heart condition and became a red shirt on the roster. Then in December, she contracted COVID-19, which attacked her heart and respiratory system.

"I was told I wasn't allowed to play, and it ended up being about two and a half years that I wasn't allowed to do anything," McLaren said.

Once she started regaining her fitness level after being cleared, the 6'1 post decided to come back and try to play basketball again. One of her first conversations was Warnick, who she had known through her high school coach.

"I heard nothing but good things about Lakeland," McLaren said. "I've had teammates and friends go to school here and it seemed like a good fit for me, being in a small town and being away from the chaos of a big city."

Looking back at the past few years and her battle to get back on the court, she said the most important takeaway from her experience was having composure and being able to focus on things that are within her control.

"Looking back, every little thing would stress me out and had a big toll on my mental health," McLaren said. 'You can control certain things, but you need to leave things that aren't in control [to the side].

Despite still technically entering the season as a rookie, the Jasper Place graduate comes in as the most experienced member of a roster filled with first year students. McLaren said they have worked on their compete level at the defensive end of the ball and while there's work ahead in their debut season as a group, she feels they will be competitive.

"Off the court we're super close already, while on the court, we're still learning how everyone plays," she said. "If we can keep [developing] resiliency, then we just need to keep up with the pace of play."

After recovering from an injury to get ready for their exhibition games this fall McLaren said she is focused on making an impact as a rebounder and passer.

"Cleaning up the glass has always been my thing," she said. "And [I'm focused on] looking down the court for passing, being aware of where my teammates are on the court, it makes it much easier to get into transition and score."

McLaren is taking Business at Lakeland College. The Rustlers women's basketball team will make their preseason debut Sept. 26 at the Lakeland Gymnasium in Lloydminster, with tip off at 6:00 pm. Their home opener is set for Oct. 17, against the Briercrest Clippers.