By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  The last three years have been a rollercoaster of a ride for Salem Academy’s Aly Herber.  Sophomore year, new school, having basketball practice in the overhang where the baseball team had their batting cages during the Covid-short Spring season in 2021,  A gruesome ankle injury during the Crusaders season-opener against De La Salle North Catholic on December 2 of last year at Westside Christian had sideline the six-foot post for the remainder of the season, a season that saw Salem Academy finished second in 2A.

But through all of that adversity, here was Herber.  Sitting in the basketball gym before the start of practice Thursday afternoon, putting pen to paper to play basketball at NCAA Division-II Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho.

“It seals the deal, it’s exciting.  With everything that happened, it’s really crazy.  I really only had one season playing and that was the Covid-year, so I’m ready for this year and I’m super excited to play,” Herber said.  “It made me ten-times stronger, it was crazy what I went through.  I don’t know how to say it…I’m excited to play basketball again…I think we’re ready (this year).”

Herber’s naturally a quiet leader on the court, leading by example.  Volleyball she helped the Crusaders to their second-straight 2A State Title with Herber being a first-team All-State selection, and with a tough test coming up Saturday with Bandon coming to town, she hopes to continue that this season now that she’s signed and ready to get back to her team.

“It shows the younger girls what it’s like and shows them how to do it,” smiles Herber.

Tip-off is at 1pm Saturday at Salem Academy.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald