The High School South girls’ basketball team is off to a strong 7-3 start thanks to a powerful one-two punch: Alyssa Gilman and Gabi Hahn.
Hahn, the team’s top scorer, is on track to hit the 1,000-point career mark this year. In 10 games this season she has scored a total of 188 points, averaging 18.8 points per game. The senior also has 12 assists and has pulled in a total of 41 rebounds. Defensively she has 14 steals.
Gilman, while not as prolific a scorer, excels in other areas. A multi-sport athlete who plays soccer year-round, the versatile 5-foot, 9-inch senior plays both guard and forward.
Gilman averages 10.8 points per game,and has 18 assists, 55 rebounds, and 21 steals.
With so many facets to her game, Gilman is one of the keys to a team that has a winning record despite its youth
“We have a younger team for the most part, so from the beginning I don’t think any of us had the expectations that we’d have the record that we do now,” says Gilman. “I think we try hard, and everyone wants to win.”
Gilman’s humility and her faith in her teammates — and the morale they share — are displayed when she describes her team, which put on a show in its 48-38 comeback win against Steinert on January 10.
“We were down by a pretty big margin, and we were able to come back,” says Gilman, emphasizing that the performance has been one of the highlights of the season so far.
“It’s always a good feeling when you know everyone in the group played well, not even individually, but as a group,” she says. “You all just put on a great performance.”
Gilman hit double digits that game, scoring 13 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Her biggest game, though, came against Hopewell on January 6, when she scored 17 points.
Gilman also had 15 points against Delaware Valley; 11 points against Hillsborough; and 12 points against Hightstown earlier this season.
Emphasizing the importance of good sportsmanship, she prides herself on her competitive nature — one that she doesn’t leave behind on the court. Gilman spends much of her time playing soccer for the Jersey United Spartans, a team to which she is committed year-round.
Jersey United, which she has played for since 2009, is a travel team based in Hillsborough and Morristown.
Gilman’s father, Thomas, a bank director, says his daughter is a natural athlete who is fortunate to have the skills to play any sport.
“The thing that makes her special is that although she is competitive, she is always fair with the other players, whether they are on her team or the other team.”
“For her, sports aren’t about receiving credit. It’s more about participating, and getting victories and losses,” he says. “That’s the type of player she is. We are proud of her effort.”
Gilman says her love for sports and competition began early, while watching her siblings — Michael, 22, Jennifer, 20, and Rayna, 14, who is also a student at South — play sports.
“I have two older siblings; they were always into sports, and I always used to play with them,” Gilman says. “I always wanted to be able to compete with them. That was motivation for me.”
She plans to bring her love of sports with her next year to Wheaton College, where she has committed to playing soccer.
“At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to participate in sports in college,” says Gilman. “I didn’t want it to be my job; I just wanted it to be for fun.”
But the team’s success drew her in. “They are in the top teams in Division III, and the coach is really passionate about soccer, so I find that very attractive as a player.”
Gilman’s dedication to sports — including soccer — isn’t without hard work and sacrifice. Her mother, Jane, an attorney for a federal banking agency, says that the family is supportive of Gilman’s athletic endeavors.
“Alyssa is very committed, and we are proud of her for that,” her mother says. “She practices soccer year round so it is a lot of juggling, but she doesn’t complain. She gets herself out of bed in the morning, even though it’s hard sometimes.
“I think the thing that I admire most about her is no matter what’s going on in a game, she never gives up and she always just does her best,” she adds.
Gilman says she is encouraged by her family’s support. “They are my biggest fans.”
