So that being said, that makes my job significantly harder. We have to find a way to compete against teams that have a lot of high quality players that are working hard themselves to get better. My hope is that we are making a DIFFERENCE in young ladies life's through discipline, work ethic, hard work and establishing leadership skills.
A lot of people in the coaching field always state that they don't chase trophies, which is a valid point and has a lot of merit when as a coach, developing players skills, expanding basketball IQ etc should take precedence. But when you can take a group of young ladies to a Large Tournament that has a lot of decent talent and skill and find a way to come out on top, then that can speak volumes about what you are doing as an Organization, might not be that bad.
So as to a quick recap about last year's basketball Club season, I am extremely proud of the SA Islanders for winning the PrimeTime National Championship in the JV Division. Over 48 teams in the JV division alone, a lot of lessons were learned including teamwork, overcoming adversity, dealing with obstacles, instilling mental toughness etc., on the way to the Championship!
And in the process, we have had numerous players garnering interest from numerous Colleges!
It is a great start as we move forward this season.
If Skill Development is key to the success of any program then I will start with our starting three guards for the Black team and move on to all players in the organization.
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| Lexi, Belle, Tara |
2016 Belle Tovar is our Shooting Guard. But don't let that fool you. She had to play JV at Judson HS this season due to UIL transfer rules. She had to play PG which enabled her to work on her overall game. She averaged over 25 ppg and almost 10 assists a game. The only games they didn't win was when she didn't run the point and the team was working on developing other players. Her range is well beyond 3 pt shot arc! Her mid range and pull up are becoming automatic as well. She has the ability of driving to the basket and getting to the line. On defense, she is not afraid to mix it up against the opposing Posts. It is not out of the norm if she is among our leading rebounders for any given game. She is gearing up for a strong Club Ball season that will propel her into the basketball HS season.
Overall, she is one of the best in the city at what she does. That is why she has sparked interest from numerous Colleges. Great thing is she is already committed to a field of study in College and is determined to achieve it. Great kid and fierce competitor!
2016 Tara Molina is our PG/Shooting Guard. She made Honorable Mention All-District and was named best NewComer of the Year for District 26 5-A. She also played PG for her HS team. Her handles are smooth as can be. She has the ability to create on a dime. She has the ability to ignite a team in a lot of ways especially with the 3 pt shot. Against the wall, playing for Johnson HS, she hit six 3 pointers against MacArthur to help her team advance to the playoffs. She followed that performance with four 3 pointers by early in the 3rd quarter against State bound Wagner. Tara has been with program since its inception. Super nice great kid with team mentality!
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| Erin Wimberley |
2017 Alexis Worley is also working her self back from ankle surgery. This past season, she helped CC Ray HS make it to the playoffs. She is another big part of our puzzle. At 6'3", she is an imposing player that can run the floor. Footwork and mid range shot had been coming along before the set back with her ankle. She is committed to come back stronger than ever. Another great kid with a great attitude. She is also a fierce competitor and a fire in her belly.
2016 Victoria Pena is coming off a great sophomore season as well. She averaged right under 10ppg for OConnor HS. She has made drastic gains in her skill, intensity and defense earning her 2nd Team All-District honors. She also made 1st Team Academic All-District. She is working hard to get to the next level. And have I mentioned she has a GPA of 99.2. Ranks 25 out of a Class of 752 making her in the Top 4%. Great work ethic and great kid!
2019 Ashley Adaszczyk is coming off a great MS basketball season. She single handily led her team, St George Episcopal to her District Championship game. Her handles are tight and is starting to blossom as one of the best guards in the city for her age group. Her mid range and pull up shots are drastically improving adding another weapon to her outside shot. She is really working hard against girls that are 3 or 4 years older. Great kid!
2017 Brianna Soliz was named 2nd Team All-District in her freshmen season playing for San Angelo Lakeview HS. She is strong and deceivingly quick with nice size and exceptional footwork especially compared to her age group. She has a nice touch on her mid range shot as well. Can run the floor as well. Super nice kid with great Attitude!
2015 Hannah Murray was named 2nd team All-District for a tough competitive District 27-5A playing for Warren HS. She has made incredible strides especially when you consider she has not played Club Ball very long. As a Post, she can lay down the hammer on Defense with her shot blocking ability. Her footwork and mid range has improved drastically. Great kid with great Attitude!
2015 April Matthews is developing into the type of player that can truly be a better College player than during HS especially when you consider she hasn't played Club ball that long. She is a hard worker and very determined. Although a Post, she also transitions to a guard as her skill set keeps on developing. Her footwork is night and day compared when she came on board. Colleges should definitely keep an eye on her. Great kid with great Attitude!
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| Hannah, Ari, April |
2015 Lunden Patterson completes the trio from Clark that play for the Islanders. She has grown up before my eyes in a matter of a year. She has legitimate range from 3 point land and is working hard on her mid range, handles and defense. But to be sure, she is working hard at school as well. She made 1st Team Academic All-District. She ranks #9 out of a Class of 667 (Top 2%). She almost has a GPA of 102. Super nice, smart kid!
2016 Erin Ashley came away with Honorable Mention All-District Honors playing for Smithson Valley even though she was playing out of position because of a lot of injuries to school Posts. She also won 1st Team Academic All-District. She has a GPA of 96.1 and definitely in the Top 20 Percentile of her Class. Great Attitude and Hard Worker. She has been an Islander since day 1. She has a strong skill set and is a great competitor.
2016 Brianna Lane is recovering from an ACL injury incurred playing school ball. This kid has had a lot of adversity and always bounces back stronger. She has grown leaps and bounds in limited action.
She is the starting PG at Marshall HS and was named to 1st Team Academic All-District. She ranks #27 out of over 650 kids in her Class (Top 5%) with a GPA of 4.0. Super nice Great kid with an attitude to match!
2016 Julie Hernandez played JV because of UIL rules prohibiting her playing Varsity due transferring rules. She was the starting PG and helped her Lee HS team beat a lot of teams they had never beaten before. She is a tough cookie and a real competitor. Super nice kid. She has been an Islander since day 1.
2017 Nancy Jones played JV PG for Madison HS. She is smart as can be on the court. She has a real nice, smooth stroke beyond the arc. She always seems to be at the right place at the right time. She is strong and deceivingly fast. Working hard on her skill set. Great kid with great attitude.
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| Victoria and Cindy |
2016 Cindy Si played JV for Brandeis HS. She helped lead the team to an undefeated season and a District Championship. She has a GPA of 102.43 and ranks #4 in Class of over 700 making her in the Top 1%. She is blossoming into a real nice player. She has nice height that is used for Post in school ball but is steadily improving her skill set enabling her to play a 3 and a 2. Tremendous upside. She has a smooth shot and is learning to attack the basket with confidence. She has a will and desire to succeed. Great Attitude and work ethic!
2015 Analisa Arguello played at Incarnate Word HS playing with Lexi. She is also a PG by nature. After a layoff from Club Ball, she has come on board the Islander family. She has tremendous work ethic and seems to always be having fun. As she heads into her final season of HS ball, she is determined to make a difference by being the best player she can be, going into it. Nice skill set already in place. Working on getting stronger and polishing up skills and shooting. She has an overall GPA of 94 and being in Honor Roll for 3 straight years. Great kid with great attitude!
2015 Marissa Regino played HS ball at Lee as well. She is relentless and a fierce competitor. She loves to play the game and it shows on the court. Her school set is improving from a 2 guard to a PG. She is not afraid to play under any circumstances. Great kid that has gone through a lot with a great Attitude!
2016 Jennifer Sullivan is another kid from Lee HS. Because of her height she is used as a Post. But she is working hard in her skill set. Another kid that doesn't show any fear when on the court no matter the circumstance. Steadily improving and working. Very proud of her for her dedication and commitment. Going through a lot of adverse situations but you would never know it because she has an upbeat demeanor. At this rate, maybe our 3 Lee HS kids can accomplish something that hasn't happened in a long time, win a District game! Great kid with great Attitude!
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| Bri Soliz, Jordan |
2017 Jordan Brooks played considerable minutes and even started with her San Angelo Lakeview HS team earning her 2nd team All-District Honors as well as her teammate Bri Soliz. She currently has a 4.0 GPA ranking her in the Top 5% in her Class. She has a lot of upside as well. Her defense sticks out with her hustle play. She is working hard on her skill set. She helps run the PG position at school. It would be interesting to see if she and Bri can help lead their HS into the playoffs next season. Super nice kid!
2016 Audrey Carranco plays for the fighting Beeville Trojans. She has been playing Varsity since her freshmen year and is the starting PG. She received Honorable Mention All-District Honors as well as being named to the Academic All-District team in District 30 4-A. She has a GPA of 99.36 and is ranked #13 in her Class. This kid has tremendous spunk and drive. She is committed and dedicated. She is working hard on polishing up her skill set. Has a nice floater in her arsenal when she attacks the basket. What a Great kid with Great Attitude.
2018 Alison Shanklin plays for the FEAST program. She helped her team have a successful season playing all the way to Nationals up in MO. She had always played Post but was skilled enough to run the point for her team all the way to Nationals. She is ranked #1 in her Class Academically. She is working hard on her skill set. She will definitely be a strong player once in HS. Nice hard working kid!
A collection of young ladies from around the area that truly represent San Antonio in many ways. As one parent recently remarked, "A True Melting Pot".
And by having read this blog, a collection of Players that truly represent our Organizations name, LEADERS EXPRESS! An impressive group on and off the court.
I will finish by stating that in most things in Life, Strive to be the Best you can be, don't put ALL your eggs in being Number #1. It's for only "One" person....., but "Every One" Can Make a Difference by contributing in different ways in the Community either by becoming Doctors, Nursing, Lawyers, Accountants, Business Owners, Scientists, Police, Firefighters, Teachers, etc........... and yes even Coaches!
GO ISLANDERS!!
