Tyrone Lady Eagle senior Alayna Greene will make her final start at home tonight against Bellefonte.
Throughout her basketball career, Greene has made a lasting impact not only on the court but also on those around her. A dedicated teammate all four years of high school, Greene plays the post position, using her skills and leadership to elevate her team.
Head Coach Mike Whitling said that Greene has had a big impact on the team, especially by providing senior leadership this season.
“Greene comes to practice and plays with great effort and attitude. Alayna is always cheering her teammates on and encouraging them to do better,” Whitling said.
Teammate Alayna Woomer described Greene as strong, hardworking, and passionate and said she appreciates Greene’s encouraging words and leadership.
“She pushes me to play my best every game and she never lets me get down on myself; she always picks me up,” Woomer said. “I will miss our friendship and all the laughs we shared on and off the court.”
Greene first started playing basketball when she was just six years old at the Northern Blair County Rec Center.
Her favorite memory from high school is winning a District 6 championship in her freshman year.
Her biggest influence in basketball is her teammates over the years.
Coach Whitling said that he is most proud of the growth he has seen in Greene’s play over the last four years.
“[At first], she was a player that really wasn’t sure of her role, [but] over the last two years Alayna transformed into a more confident player. She has improved her game beyond what she believed was possible,” Whitling said.
Proving what a great teammate she is, when asked about her favorite game of her career, Greene recalled another teammate’s accomplishment before her own. She singled out the playoff game against River Valley when 2024 graduate Kayelin Gibbons scored her 1000th career point as one of her favorite basketball moments.
The most valuable lesson she learned from playing basketball over the years is that there is more to the game than winning states.
Whitling credited Greene for her positive attitude and short memory if things don’t go her way at first.
“What sets Alayna apart from the other players I have coached is that she has the ability to forget about missed shots and shoot the next one with the confidence that she will make it. This is a rare skill in today’s game,” Whitling said.
Teammate Elise Volders agrees that the energy Greene brings on the court is beneficial to the team, “Greene makes the game fun and brings a lot of humor into the gym.”
Elise Volders described Greene as funny, kind, and thoughtful.
“I will miss having her in the gym and her positive attitude. I’ll miss having her make jokes during practice and making the whole team laugh.”
Whitling had this advice for Greene:
“The advice I would give to Alayna as she prepares for the next chapter of her life is to believe in herself and her abilities. Alayna is a great person and has a very bright future. I’m so proud of her and wish her the best of luck,” Whittling said.
Greene plans to attend Penn State Altoona in the fall.
