Athletes of the week

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

ASHLEY ROSE, East Union basketball

There has never been a doubt that the 5-foot-5-inch senior point guard is capable of launching accurate shots from beyond the 3-point line -- she hit a long-range trey to seal the Lancers' Valley Oak League title a year ago. Rose has expanded her game in the offseason, though.

She has developed a penetration move and has upgraded the rest of her game, which explains why EU won its first eight games.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

Rose had 25 points, seven steals and four assists in a surprising 64-42 rout of Modesto Metro Conference contender Modesto, and had 17 points -- including a pair of clutch 3-pointers -- in a 47-24 domination of Johansen.

Just as important as her offense, though, has been Rose's performance on the defensive end. The Lancers are allowing just 35 points a game and have held six foes to 37 points or less.

LARGE SCHOOLS

TRAVIS SOUZA, Turlock basketball

There might not be a younger team in the Stanislaus District, but its youth hasn't posed any problem for Turlock -- not with this 6-foot-4-inch junior point guard running the Bulldogs.

Souza is averaging 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals while leading the 'Dogs to their 8-2 start. The last four games have been particularly impressive, as Souza averaged 23 points and 7.5 assists each night.

He had a then-season high 25 points, along with six assists, five rebounds and five steals, in a 65-52 win over Davis in the third-place game of the Godinez Tournament. A few nights later, he topped that with 26 points -- this time adding seven assists and six rebounds -- to lead Turlock past Livingston 77-75.

Souza followed that up by leading the Bulldogs to the championship game of Tracy Tournament.

BRANDI HENTON, Modesto Christian basketball

There is nothing easy about the lineup coach Robb Spencer has put together this month -- three rugged tournaments held in three regions of California.

The Crusaders opened in Southern California, came home to host their tournament in Salida and this weekend will head for the Bay Area to play in the elite Platinum Division of the West Coast Jamboree. MC opens with powerful Brea Olinda, then faces Berkeley or Palos Verdes -- two more large-school powers.

It's a challenge the 5-foot-8-inch junior point guard (averaging 14.3 points, 2.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds while helping the Crusaders to a 4-3 start) is ready to take on, Spencer said.

"Brandi matured in the offseason," Spencer said. "Her aggressiveness can create chaos, but she's learned to pull the ball out if nothing is there."

SMALL SCHOOLS

HARNARINDER JOHAL, Livingston basketball

It's been quite a start to the season for the 6-foot-5-inch senior center, who scored a single-game tournament-record 46 points against Division I Laguna Creek and was named the MVP of the Armijo Tournament after taking the Wolves to the title. Johal also scored 26 points in an 80-74 win over the host Indians in the final.

While leading Livingston to a 10-3 start, Johal has been averaging 20.7 points -- shooting 52 percent from the floor -- 10 rebounds and four blocks each night.

One of Johal's most impressive early-season performances was in a 77-75 loss to Central California Conference contender Turlock. Despite facing Turlock's talented 6-4 duo of Travis Souza and Eric Wetzel, Johal still poured in 34 points.

He also scored 18 in a 76-71 win over Weston Ranch, hitting 8 of 10 fourth-quarter free throws.

-- RICHARD T. ESTRADA