Making Hoops

Hoops! Are what the girl’s basketball team had to jump through when they recently transitioned to new coaches, Denice Hernandez and assistant coach Ashley Hernandez. On top of this new transition, as Mendez says, “we have a tough 4A division this season,” giving the team even more of a challenge. 

Mendez gives insight on these challenges. “We didn’t get a chance to build that gel and trust.” “Gaining the girls’ trust or telling them to trust the process when they had no idea who we were was a little tough.” Despite these trials, she adds that the girls are resilient and together they are “resetting the foundation for growth and greatness. 

Although these challenges may have set the team back a few steps, Mendez says they have ways to deal with them. “We are HUGE on communication.” She also adds that these setbacks are sometimes necessary. “Everyday is not all sunshine and rainbows. The bad times and challenges need to happen to develop that grit and growth.” She seems in high spirits and hopeful, stating, “we’re trying to gauge the girls’ growth and skillset after being out for two years.” “We hope that the girls progress in the right direction overall to be even better next season.” Mendez also says that the basketball team is a great thing to be a part of. “We see the benefits it has to heighten the high school experience as well as assist in the development of amazing bonds and lifetime memories. It’s a sisterhood.” Megan Lam, a senior on the team shares that Vista’s pregame tradition is praying. 

For Lam and two other players, it will be their last season of high school basketball. Loren Sampey and Grace Jones-Sailor. 

Lam shares her feelings about playing for her last year. “I’m sad that it’s my last year playing with my team. I’ve played with the other seniors since we were freshmen and I’m going to miss being on the court with them.” Lam shares that she does not have plans for pursuing a career in basketball. “Basketball is more of a hobby for me.”

Lam adds that she has been playing since she was young. “I’ve started playing on a basketball team in middle school.” “I wanted to play basketball because it helped me meet new friends as a child.” Lam also shares that Vista’s pregame tradition is praying.

The last game for the girl’s basketball team was an away game against Basic High School on February 9th, 2022, putting their win-loss record at 1-5. 

The team is hopeful and in high spirits of getting comfortable and playing better next year.