WHEELING — The fact that the Wheeling Park girls’ basketball team is 15-2 and ranked No. 4 in West Virginia’s Class 4A is impressive enough, but the idea that two freshmen are playing key roles in the process makes it even more incredible.

Alexis Bordas is averaging 22 points, along with 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 steals and two assists per game in her first high school season, while classmate Lala Woods is turning in 12.7 points with 3.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

“Both are special players for sure,” Park coach Ryan Young said. “They are different players, too. Alexis is an incredible shooter, an all-around player and she rebounds the ball great for us. There is not enough said about how well she rebounds the ball.

“Lala runs the offense for us and gets to the hole pretty well. It is a blessing to have two freshmen like that who are kind of carrying the team offensively, with a couple of others.

“The balance we have with two seniors, two juniors and then you throw in our younger kids — it makes them more and more comfortable. (Sophomore) Natalie (Daugherty), Alexis and Lala have all stepped up scoring at different times, along with (junior) Sophie Abraham. They have been in a couple of pressure situations already and for the most part have handled it well. It’s just a good combination and good balance of players from our two seniors (Jai’lah Walker and Zariah Marling) to our two freshmen.”

The team has bonded from the start of the season and Bordas

believes it is due to their time spent together off the court.

“We all play well together because of how good our friendships are off of the court,” Bordas said. “That translates to the court and we mesh pretty well.”

Along with the bond off the court with her teammates, Bordas knows the importance of preparation, as well.

“I’ve always felt that the harder I work off the court, the easier it will be on the court,” she said. “I expect to go in there and be ready and prepared, so I feel pretty comfortable in there.”

Woods feels that Coach Young’s help has also been instrumental in helping her adjust to the varsity level.

“I just feel like Coach Young has a lot of faith in me, putting me in the position that he has put me in,” Woods said. “I feel like I’ve been able to contribute to this team as much as I can because of that.”

Both Bordas and Woods have grown up around sports with parents and siblings who competed at every level.

Bordas’ father, Jamie Bordas, played quarterback at Wheeling Park and the rest of the Bordas family has been involved in sports, as well.

“We are a big sports family,” Alexis Bordas said. “My mom played basketball, my dad played quarterback at Park, and my siblings play. We all love sports.”

Woods’ mother, Cari Fato Woods, played basketball at Wheeling Jesuit and her father, Brock Woods, was a standout player for the Wheeling Nailers. Her sister Shanley Woods left her mark at Park and is on this year’s Wheeling University women’s team.

“We are definitely a sports family,” Lala Woods said. “They always have something to say after a game and are always encouraging, which helps me out. Playing one-on-one with my sister in the backyard growing up helped me out, too.”

With the team chemistry, the work ethic, great coaching and family roots centered around sports — this year’s Wheeling Park squad could be the perfect storm.

“It’s really fun to be a part of,” Alexis Bordas said. “We’ve been playing really well and we are working together. We are trying to build on that and lead this team to a state championship.”