Junior Alina Molina is one of the most seasoned basketball players on the Coronado High School girls basketball team’s roster. Stepping on the court at the age of nine, Molina spent a considerable amount of time hooping prior to her Islander days — but that experience comes with a price.
Since joining the Islander varsity squad as a freshman, Molina has succumbed to ankle injuries that sidelined her for the entire freshman season and parts of her sophomore campaign. According to the junior, who plays shooting guard, she has been eager to return to the court in full health.
However, stepping back into the game comes with both physical and mental barriers Molina will have to navigate.
“There are moments where I can feel my ankle give out, or when I take a wrong step, I tend to panic due to how many times I’ve gotten the same injury,” Molina said. “I’ve noticed that I tend to hold back in game and even during practice because I’m afraid I’ll mess up my foot again.”
Rebounding from an injury that has plagued her since fourth grade has been anything but easy, according to Molina, but with time she’s learned what’s best for her body as she looks to play at full speed for the Islanders.
“I stretch out that area of my foot before and after I play so I don’t feel any soreness later on. I do also wear a brace on both ankles just for extra caution,” said Molina.
Contributions from the sidelines
The Islanders’ head coach John Coolidge said Molina’s presence on the court adds another exciting weapon to his growing team, but Coolidge was even more impressed at how Molina found ways to contribute during her injuries.
“Last year when she was sidelined because of the foot injury, she actually filmed some of our games as a teaching tool for the team. Alina always had a white board on the bench, helping to show players what she saw during time outs or when players were subbed out to rest.”
-John Coolidge, the head coach of the girls basketball team.
“Last year when she was sidelined because of the foot injury, she actually filmed some of our games as a teaching tool for the team. Alina always had a white board on the bench, helping to show players what she saw during time outs or when players were subbed out to rest,” said Coolidge.
According to coach, Molina is a competitor first. So as helpful as the time on the sidelines was for her, she ultimately wants to be out on the court helping her team.
“My main goal is to not get injured again. If I do, I get my favorite whiteboard, but in all seriousness, the goal is to just have a good time no matter if we win or lose,” Molina said. “I want to be there for my team and lift their spirits no matter what, as well as be the leader my coach sees me as.”
Stepping up to the plate
The leadership role Molina is open to stepping into is one that is certainly a long time coming. Molina’s first two seasons as an Islander were with a team that seldom found the win column. According to Molina, the unforgiving past two seasons have only fueled her and her teammates heading into 2024.
“It’s now my moment to step up to the plate and be a leader, with junior Selena Herrera, for those who aren’t as confident or need the support. I’m really hoping we can make it to playoffs because this team has so much potential and I want to see all of us thrive,” said Molina.
According to Coolidge, he has been pleased with the leadership abilities Molina has shown with the new season underway.
“Alina is a great teammate. She helps the new girls in practice and holds girls accountable for showing up late or goofing off. She is a very coachable player.”
-John Coolidge, the head coach of the girls basketball team.
“Alina is a great teammate. She helps the new girls in practice and holds girls accountable for showing up late or goofing off. She is a very coachable player,” said Coolidge.
Staying healthy
Despite the Islanders starting out the season 0-7, they’ve put up much more impressive numbers compared to prior seasons — and against statistically better teams.
Coolidge credits part of this shift in the wind to leaders like Molina. The experience she carries onto the court is visible through her play and rubbing off on her teammates.
Now Coolidge’s goal — like everyone else — is to ensure Molina remains healthy.
“Last year Alina and other players tried to tough it out and play through the pain, thinking ‘my teammates need me.’” Coolidge said. “They learned that rest and going to the trainer helps with recovery time. It’s smarter to come back stronger and better equipped to play, and much more helpful to the team. As you get older you realize the old school ways of ‘just rub some dirt on it and get back out there’ is not always a good thing.”
