Millas among newest inductees into CYO Basketball Hall of Fame

Basketball is one of those sports where often the focus is on the size of the player, and many times what determines the outcome is the size of the player’s heart.

Alexa Millas was one of those players where it was the heart she brought to the court that made her very successful.

Millas along with Ralph Chiarello, Lou DeMille, Fred Dumont, Rashawn Glenn, Debbie Zsenak Hart, Maya Jackson, Kristin Jacobs, Pete Kelly, Herman English, Rosemary LaMacchia, Jim Haggerty Sr., Steve Maczinko, Don Walsh Sr. and Dawn Wolfsgruber will be inducted into the CYO Basketball Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremonies will be held on Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Nottingham Ballroom with cocktail hour starting at 3 p.m.

Millas was a guard on the CYO championship teams at St. Anthony’s Grammar School and she played on the McCorristin team that advanced to the state final game.

Not the tallest player on the court, but certainly one of the most talented, Millas never backed away from a challenge and in reality thrived on those moments.

“I have always been a perfectionist in everything I do,’’ said Millas. “I never wanted to let my coaches and my teammates down. Most of all I wanted to make my parents proud of me and I knew no matter, if we won or lost, as long as I gave it my best they would be proud.’’

There was plenty to be proud of at the CYO, in high school and in the real world.

Millas was a three-sport athlete with the Iron Mikes, an All-County goalie in soccer, a very talented guard on the basketball team and a member of the McCorristin state championship softball team.

Recently retired after 28 years as a Senior Manager at Verizon, Millas has become a Financial Consultant with the Beacon Financial Group.

So much of what Millas has been able to accomplish, on and off the court, got its roots in the basketball program at the Mercer County CYO.

“I attribute my successful work life that I have to everything I have learned and developed throughout my athletic days,’’ Millas stated. “The discipline and dedication it provided me and learning how important team work is, has been so important my entire life. My energy level and motivation has also had a positive influence on my life and the people around me.’’

To this day, the CYO is still a part of Millas’ life as the friendships she made in those years have only gotten stronger.

“Those friendships with my teammates and players on other teams haven lasted through the years and they are priceless,’’ said Millas.

On the court, Millas was worth the price of admission.