UNDERWOOD

A change in role to floor general allowed Underwood to really demonstrate her entire skillset.

“We knew she was going to be our point guard and facilitate the offense, but with her ability to create for her teammates, attack the rim and be unselfish, she really opened up our offense and definitely exceeded expectations,” Gerg said.

It wasn’t just Underwood’s offensive impact that made her special, Gerg added: “She’s tough and gritty, she gets in there and lays it all on the line, and her ability to read plays defensively and then create offense out of that is great.”

Asked if any particular performances stood out from this past season, Gerg noted that “they all run together” — and it’s true, Underwood was very consistent.

Out of 19 AIA games, Underwood scored in double digits 13 times. Three of the times she didn’t came in blowout victories where not much was needed of her, and then there were her impressive singledigit scoring lines against Sandra Day O’Connor (9 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists) and North (8 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists).

“I just love the game,” Underwood said. “I try to do my best every time, and when I get those numbers and they lead to wins, that’s good.”

In two meetings against Kofa, she averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 4.0 steals. In two meetings against Gila Ridge, she averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds.

The Raiders went 1-3 against those two teams last year; this year, they trounced Kofa by 48 and 47 points, and beat Gila Ridge by 24 and 10.

“It was a great successful year for the girls,” Gerg said. “It was a team effort, but Arlyssa was definitely a big piece of us being successful.

“She’s a heck of a player and we’re happy to have her one more year.”