IN SPORTS: TWO SELECTED FOR ALL-STAR HOOPS GAME
Two Lodi High girls basketball players, both of whom graduated last week, will officially play the final prep game of their careers on Friday.
Monica Valenzuela and Alexa Brand have been selected to play in the inaugural High School All-Star Basketball Game, presented by B.E.S.T. and The Kiwanis Club of Stockton. The girls’ game, along with the boys’ contest, will be played Friday at Delta College’s Joseph Blanchard Gym.
Valenzuela, a 5-foot-11 forward/guard, and Brand, a 5’6 guard, are scheduled to be play on the same team, according to Paul DeAndres, who is the director of the games. There are 14 girls projected to play in Friday’s contest. Last season, Valenzuela, a four-year starter in the Flames’ front-court, helped the Flames to a 19-8 overall record that included a 6-2 mark in the Tri-City Athletic League. She was the Flames’ leading scorer at 13 points per game, averaged 7 rebounds per game and sank 76-of-104 free throws for 73 percent. Valenzuela, who will be attending Holy Names University in Oakland on a scholarship, also had 21 blocked shots last season.
Brand averaged 9.8 points per game. She also averaged 4.4 rebounds per game, made 41-of-60 free throws for 68 percent. Brand canned 42-of-88 3pointers.
The girls’ game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., with the boys’ contest at 7:30 p.m.
Admission for Friday’s games is $6 for all ages.