St. Aloysius post player Alex Lanier’s grimace said it all.

During a game on Tuesday against Division 7-1A foe Sebastapol, his usually reliable mid-range jumper was failing him. His forays into the paint were resulting in missed opportunities off the rim. He couldn’t get a foul call despite drawing contact.

He just couldn’t finish. If it happened last season, St. Aloysius would be in deep trouble. But this season, the Flashes were able to weather the storm and nearly pull off an upset on a team that pounded them by 24 in last season’s meeting.

Even on a down night, Lanier still contributed 14 points.

Last season, he pretty much did it all for the Flashes as a junior, as he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game on a team that won only five games.

What a difference a year makes.

Now Lanier, still the Flashes’ primary option at 19.7 points per game, isn’t the only scoring and rebounding threat on the floor. And the senior is better for it.

“It makes it so much easier,” Lanier said. “I don’t have to carry such a heavy load. I don’t have to force shots. I don’t have to feel like I’ve got to go out there and try to win the game myself. We’re a lot better than we were last year.”

Veteran coach Gary Miller has watched the 6-foot-4 Lanier up close for the past two years and has a deep appreciation for Lanier’s work ethic and skill set.

“He’s a competitor who doesn’t like to lose,” Miller said. “He’s got great post moves and he protects his shot well. He’s got a quick release and quick moves.” 

One area Lanier has improved this season is his passing. With more options like post player Chris Lewis, sharpshooter Sean Johnson and point guard Ford Biedenharn, Lanier is not afraid to share the ball.

“He’s one of those guys who sees the game so well,” Miller said. “He’s not selfish and if you’re open, he’ll find you.”

Offensively, Lanier is not the bulky sort of post player that tends to take up a lot of space in the paint. He is tall and slender and uses his slight frame to maximum advantage. He has a quick first step, a strong midrange jumper and the ability to weave through contact and score or draw a foul.

“Just looking at him, he shouldn’t be able to score down there like he does,” Miller said. “He’s got a great ability to snake through a defense. If there’s a crack, he’ll slide through, score or draw a foul. He’s got great pump fakes and he can score on bigger people. He’s not afraid to put the ball on the floor and drive past you.”

Defensively, the senior is a strong rebounder and weakside shot blocker who alters even more shots. According to Miller, Lanier not only can defend the bigger post players he encounters nightly, but he rarely gets into foul trouble.

On the leadership side, the young Flashes tend to follow their emotional and scoring leader’s cues. If the Flashes need a bucket late, their senior leader will usually get the call.

“There’s nothing more you can say,” Biedenharn said. “He’s our team leader. No one can stop him.”

If Lanier plays at the next level, he will have to make a transition to the wing from the post. And he’s willing to make the sacrifices to continue doing what he loves.

Be it the junior college route or a smaller college, Lanier is ready to prove his mettle on the college hardwood.

“It’d be a huge transition,” Lanier said. “I’ve got to work on my ballhandling, especially. But I still feel like I could go inside and hurt you. I feel like I’m a decent finisher. If I get any offers, I’ll consider them.”

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Contact Steve Wilson at swilson@vicksburgpost.com.