6 players to watch
Aiyana Evans, G Lodi
Evans, a senior, is a fouryear varsity player. She’s also a three-sport student-athlete; she’s played on the Lodi High girls water polo and track and field teams since her freshman year.
“Aiyana worked hard in the off season and during summer workouts to prepare for this season,” said Lodi coach Kelsi Meier. “We are excited to see what she has to bring to the court for her final year. She has stepped up as a leader and is ready to be one of our main scoring threats, as well as one of our quickest guards on the defensive end.”
Ashlee Toy, G Lodi
Toy, another senior, is another proven student-athlete. She’s been starting as pitcher/outfielder on the Lodi High softball team the last three season.
“Her competitiveness and motivation to always be first is going to be seen on the court this year,” said Meier of Toy. “Ashlee is dedicated to our program showing up and being a presence.”
Mia Misasi, G Tokay
Misasi, a senior, has something in common with Evans and Toy: A multi student-athlete. A softball standout at catcher and shortstop, Misasi is going to University of Nevada-Reno on a scholarship.
“Mia has always been athletic and good when it comes to basketball skills,” said Tokay coach Shanel Mischal of Misasi. “But now, I feel like she is really starting to understand the game; which will make her even more of a dangerous player this year.”
Simone Medieros, G Tokay
Another senior, Medieros is joining Misasi in going to an NCAA Division I campus on a scholarship; she’s going to Stephen F. Austin University, playing softball.
“Mo is our main point guard and sets the pace for us on offense,” Mischal said of Medieros. “She is gifted with insane natural speed and quickness. The coaches often just look at her speed when she runs and can’t believe how easy she makes it all look.”
Kaya Weaver, F Galt
Last winter, Weaver, now a sophomore, averaged 8.4 points per game for the Warriors.
Weaver had many players back this season in Madison Peterson, Priscilla Baez, Karina Aguilar, Haley Sanchez Julia Baffa, Raina Salvidar and Cassandra Gonzalez.
Galt, which dominated the SVC in girls basketball for most of the 2000s, won its first conference game last winter. Weaver and the Warriors are looking to add some more wins in pre-season and SVC this winter.
Nicole Schwedhelm, forward, Liberty Ranch
Schwedhelm, a senior, averaged 10.1 points per game last winter for Liberty Ranch.
She is one of three Hawk players — senior guard Anastasia Contreras and junior guard Jada Hightower — who are looking to lead the team this season. Liberty Ranch has 10 players on its roster.