April 29, 2010
Bostick to Corvallis
Sometimes, there is just a connection. A basketball player and coach meet and the comaraderie is present from moment one. Such a kinship occurred with Bishop O’Dowd’s Alexis Bostick and Oregon State University (OSU) Coach LaVonda Wagner and the result is Bostick will be in Corvallis next school year.
Bostick is a defensive demon
.A 5-foot-9 senior point, Bostick has enjoyed being part of the very successful Dragon power triumvirate that included Robie Mayberry and Mikayla Lyles. This teaming up produced another tremendous season in 2009-2010 at 27-4, with a 16-0 league mark. O’Dowd’s play concluded on March 13 with a 50-48 last second loss to powerhouse Sacramento High in the California Interscholastic Federation NorCal Division III semifinals.
The end of play allowed time for Bostick to concentrate on her college choice.
Of the contenders, OSU stood out or, more accurately, Bostick found a kindred spirit in LaVonda Wagner.
"The reason I decided on Oregon State is because it fit me," Bostick explained. "Coach Wagner and I had the same mentality." The fierceness of their shared doing-what-it-takes-to-win mindset produced an immediate bond and made Bostick’s decision all that much easier.
Bostick brings passion and intensity to her defensive effort, something that could bring a smile to even Jerry Tarkanian’s face. Her take: "I’d be scared of being guarded by me," she matter-of-factly offered.
She cites Maya Moore ("she is amazing -- there are no words to describe her"), Sue Bird and Kobe Bryant, three of the physically and mentally toughest basketballers around, as her biggest basketball influences.
Bostick wanted to thank her parents, O’Dowd Coach Malik McCord, Pico Wilburn (her Bay Area Lady Warriors club team coach) and Coach Wagner for all their help and guidance.
As for Bostick’s next address, Wagner was hired at OSU in April, 2005. Her mission: turn around the Beaver program. Wagner created momentum, culminating in a 20-win 2008-2009 season. But the recently concluded schedule produced an 11-20 record, indicating plenty of opportunity for newcomers.
Bostick plans to major in psychology and hopes to be working with children in the future. "I want to help kids get on the right track so they can have a bright future."
Just like the one opening up for Bostick.