She’s got game: Golden Valley’s Moore leads Bee’s Player of the Year watch list

Robb Spencer and his Modesto Christian High School program have all but removed the drama from The Modesto Bee’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.

Six of the last seven recipients have worn a Crusaders jersey, including the last two: Candice White, the 2014-15 winner, and Lexi Tubbs. The last non-Modesto Christian athlete to be named Player of the Year was Turlock Christian’s Halie Bergman in 2013.

The newest member of that sorority could offer an interesting twist: a non-Modesto Christian player with Modesto Christian roots. Golden Valley guard Stephanie Moore is the odds-on favorite to wear the crown just two years after teaming with Tubbs for the Crusaders’ CIF Division III state title run.

Alas, nothing is certain. Postseason performance carries a lot of weight in the voting, and talent abounds in the Stanislaus District.

Who do you think should be the All-District Girls Basketball Player of the Year?

— The Modesto Bee (@modbee) February 11, 2016 (Click here to vote, see results)

Here’s a look at the Player of the Year candidates and when they’ll be in action next:

Stephanie Moore, Golden Valley: In the argument for Player of the Year, Moore is the clear favorite. So say three of the most respected coaches in the Stanislaus District: Spencer of Modesto Christian, Matt Thissen of Golden Valley and Curtis Reynolds of Enochs. Moore, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, simply makes those around her better. She was a key contributor to Modesto Christian’s run to a state championship in 2014 and immediately turned Golden Valley into a champion upon her transfer. Spencer believes Moore is the missing piece to his roster this season based on her leadership ability alone. Modesto Christian’s loss has been Thissen’s gain. The Cougars have won 20 consecutive Central California Conference games en route to back-to-back titles. Moore is averaging 18.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.3 assists, and she recently signed a letter of intent with UC San Diego. Next: Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs.

Lailoni Gaines, Modesto Christian: The 6-foot wing uses her supreme athleticism in a variety of ways. She is a major reason the Crusaders continue to dominate the landscape in the Modesto Metro Conference. Modesto Christian entered the week with 39 consecutive league victories, dating to their days in the Trans-Valley League. Gaines leads the Crusaders in points (14.8), rebounds (7.1) and steals (2.8). She has scored 20 or more points four times this season: 21 in a 59-41 win over Mater Dei Catholic; 22 in a 46-27 win over Soquel; 28 in a 57-56 loss to Fairmont Prep; and 20 in a 70-54 win over Venture Academy. Next: vs. Beyer, Thursday.

Zakiya Williams, Enochs: The Eagles have flown near the top of the MMC thanks to Williams and Katie Dillon, the program’s career scoring leader. “They mean so much to each other,” Reynolds said. “At the league meeting, I’ll put them both up and let the coaches decide. Teams have been burned by Katie’s (shooting) and Zakiya’s constant pressure.” However, Williams has emerged as Enochs’ catalyst. She is averaging a team-high 15.1 points, 4.4 steals and 2.4 assists. She has scored in double figures in all but three games, including a season-high 27 points in a 67-60 win over Davis on Jan. 19. She has scored 20 or more points six times and has had her best games against the Spartans. In a Dec. 4 contest, Williams had 22 points and 10 steals in a 67-22 victory. Next: vs. Davis, Thursday.

Loretta Kakala, Manteca: No one in the Stanislaus District has more upside than Kakala, a blue-chip recruit coveted by several Pacific-12 Conference programs. Over her three-year varsity career, the 6-2 junior forward has produced more double doubles than a lunchtime rush at In-N-Out. After sitting out December because of a back injury, Kakala has averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. She has six double doubles in 12 games for the Buffaloes, who are in the thick of the Valley Oak League hunt. What’s more, Kakala possesses the range of a shooting guard, making her a matchup nightmare. Next: vs. East Union, Friday.

Olivia Vezaldenos, East Union: For the first three years of her varsity career, Vezaldenos, with her trademark headband, dazzled the VOL with her ballhandling and shot making. It appears she has saved her best for last. With Vezaldenos at the controls, the Lancers entered the week 23-1 and alone atop the VOL at 11-0. A showdown with Kakala and Manteca looms Friday; that game likely will determine title shares. If East Union repeats its victory from Jan. 29, the Lancers will be assured an outright championship with one game to go. A loss would put them into a tie with the Buffaloes. Next: at Manteca, Friday.

Others to watch: Dillon; Enochs; Lexi Thompson, Merced; Nicole Warwick, Modesto Christian; Abbee Croninger, Golden Valley.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "She’s got game: Golden Valley’s Moore leads Bee’s Player of the Year watch list."