Sports is a way of life for young Alexis Bordas.
The talented, multi-sport athlete recently played a major role in helping her WV Thunder 2025 teammates win a basketball tournament in Pittsburgh against players two years their senior.
This was just the latest stop on a seemingly never-ending journey for the incoming 8th grader.
In-season is a year-round designation in the Bordas household, so she gets it honestly. The oldest of six children, she’s the first of what will likely be many, if not all, of her siblings to shine on fields and courts throughout the valley and beyond.
Her parents were successful prep athletes at Wheeling Park and Central Catholic, and her mother has served as the coach of several of Alexis’ teams. So, yeah, that’s one reason why she gets “it.”
That gives this young lady a history of success to build from and an ample support system. Advantages to be sure, but they aren’t what sets her apart. Genes certainly help provide her an innate base to build from, but again, that’s not what will make her special.
Make no mistake either. That designation is coming.
There is a reason she plays for a Huntington-based AAU program, widely considered the top girls’ program in W.Va.
She’s earned it. Not through parental influence or natural talent, but work—good, old-fashioned hard work.
An Uncommon Work Ethic
Pick a random waking hour of the day and chances are, at that point, Alexis has a ball in her hand. There’s an even better chance it’s a basketball. She’s literally practicing all day, every day, with no signs of burning out or losing interest.
Basketball is her YouTube. It’s her Minecraft. While some kids sit around, living vicariously through others on a digital platform, Alexis is in the real world, putting in work. She works out with trainer, Jeremy Hays from Fadeaway Fitness. She works out with her mom.
She’ll finish practice, only to come home and put up more shots.
There’s a reason she was a national finalist in the Elks’ Hoop Shoot—repetition and practice. It’s the same reason she’s as dangerous a 3-point shooter as she is attacking the basket.
Perhaps equally as impressive as her work ethic is the unselfish way in which Alexis plays the game.
A talented scorer, she easily could put up ridiculous numbers in games, especially during her school season. But she’s also an excellent passer and always looking for ways to get her teammates involved in the offense. She gets her points to be sure, but she’s not the only one doing the shooting.
That’s what makes her potential so unique and what should be an interesting path to track the next few years. It’s her willingness to work that sets her apart.
It’s easy to put in the effort when someone is watching. But when it’s just you, and no one is forcing you to give a max effort, do you still push yourself? Do you fight through the tough days and press forward?
Alexis does. And that, above all else, is why she succeeds.
Did you get to a point when you decided it was time to step up to travel ball for all sports at the same time, or did that come individually, depending on the sport?
I started travel basketball in Second grade but had to play in the fourth-grade division to get tournaments. Besides the YMCA league, you couldn’t play for your school until Fifth grade. I started travel softball when I was in the Foxtail league. By my second year of Pigtail, I no longer played Rec, only travel. I started playing travel soccer when I was eight years old in the 9U division.
Given the increased time demands and level of commitment, is it hard trying to juggle all three sports, especially when there is overlap? How do you prioritize?
I love to play all three sports when I can, but basketball is my favorite and always comes first. This year was the first year that I couldn’t commit to softball because the schedule for WV Thunder was much more demanding than my schedule for WV Elite. In the past, my mom coached both my basketball and softball teams and could schedule tournaments for both without conflicts. I knew that playing for Thunder would make it harder to play a spring sport, but would love to play again if schedules allow. As for soccer, I missed some last year because I had a broken ankle and had planned to play again this year, but COVID has made it difficult because a lot of my basketball tournaments are pushed back into the months I was supposed to be playing soccer. I have been extremely fortunate to have understanding and encouraging coaches that have allowed me to be a part of their teams while knowing that basketball is my number one priority and favorite sport.
You are involved with the travel teams, plus your school teams. You workout with a trainer and put in tons of individual time on your own. Where do you find the time for it all and do you ever get to a point where you feel or worry about burnout?
No, I never feel burnt out because I enjoy my workouts and look forward to each one. I don’t put as much time into softball and soccer as I do basketball because basketball is my favorite and I practice basketball every day, pretty much all day long. I love to play the game, workout, follow teams and other players on social media, watch film, and do anything really that has to do with basketball.
Most athletes your age aren’t willing to put in that amount of work. It’s obviously paying off, but what drives you to take those extra steps and put in that time? Is that desire also what led you to the Thunder which is quite a bit of distance away but seems worth it for the major step up in competition and exposure?
The thing that drives me the most to work hard is my desire to play college basketball at the highest level. That really motivates me and pushes me to be the best that I can be. I knew that Thunder was a major commitment. I would have to give up playing with friends/teammates I had played with for the past five years, and also give up my mom coaching me. But I knew that it was the right thing for me and would provide me with the exposure that would help me achieve my goals of playing college basketball. As an added bonus, I get to play for Coach Shannon Lewis who is a very successful basketball coach for Huntington St. Joseph.
Is there one sport you prefer over the others and, if so, what about it makes it your favorite? Is there one that comes easier to you and feels more natural? Which do you have to work the hardest at?
Basketball is definitely my favorite sport. I started playing basketball when I was four and immediately loved it. Another reason I began to love basketball the most is because I look up to my mom and older cousins that play basketball so much. Every step along the way — being a national finalist in the Elks Hoop Shoot, competing in the AAU National tournament, or winning a school championship — has been exciting and has made me want to compete even more. Basketball has always come more easily to me than the other two sports I play, but it is also the one I work hardest at because of how much I enjoy it and the dreams I hope will come true. If the schedules allow in high school, I would love to play all three sports.
