Sweet shooter Bourger develops game for Trojans
By Teddy Feinberg/Sun-News Sports Editor

LAS CRUCES — Alina Bourger is a shooter.

The Mayfield Trojans senior guard/forward takes jumpers at practice, at her home and while coaching her younger sister’s youth basketball team.

That’s what good shooters do — they’re always fine-tuning on their craft.

“It started my freshman year,” Bourger said. “I’ve just gotten more comfortable at it ever since. When I’m standing at the 3-point line, my adrenaline is going. I want the ball.”

Bourger’s been averaging 14 points per game on the season as Trojans head girls basketball coach George Maya tries to mix and match lineups with Jenna Banegas, Elena Hutchinson and Elena Holguin all out of the lineup nursing injuries.

“She’s picked that up and we expected that out of her,” Maya said. “She’s a senior and we were looking to her at the beginning of the year. And she’s been solid for us.”

Still, Maya continues to stay on top of Bourger, as he believes she could average 20 points a contest with a more complete offensive game. While Bourger is the classic set shooter, Maya wants his player to develop more of a dribble-penetration game as well as the ability to catch and shoot on the move.

“That’s really what it’s all about,” Maya said. “Putting the ball on the floor, getting to the basket, finishing layins. She’s capable of doing it all.”

Such elements are things Bourger continues to improve upon. She already is a strong free-throw shooter, knocking down 80 percent of her tries so far on the season.

“If someone’s laying off me, I’m going to shoot it,” she said. “If someone’s guarding me tight, I’ll take it around them. It’s really about what the defense is giving me at any time.”

Despite the injuries, Mayfield still sits at 5-4 on the season, with a Saturday night home affair on the docket against Cleveland High School. Maya has said throughout the season that he is continuing to try and develop his team. The coach said the Trojans have had problems from the free-throw line as well as finishing when around the basket.

“It’s who we are right now,” Maya said. “We continue to work on it, we have to get better at it. Going into district, we need to get better (in those areas).”