The Coronado High School girls basketball team will send off their seniors on Friday, when the Islanders face the La Jolla Vikings, marking an end to the 2022/2023 season.
The team’s senior core, composed of five girls, will take the floor together to begin the 6 p.m. game, said Coach John Coolidge.
The seniors have been the heart and soul of the team and letting them walk out on the court as the starting five is one of the ways the girls will be honored, according to Coolidge.
The seniors, he said, have left a lasting impact on others on the team, and are looking forward to furthering themselves off the court.
“I’m planning on being a firefighter, and considering playing basketball on the side in college,” said Alyssa Alarcon, one of the seniors who has been with the Islanders for four years.
That tenure included playing through a pandemic, but the little things like practices and team meetings were some Alarcon’s favorite memories, she said
Anna Youngblood, who played all four years as well, said one of the best moments during her time was the team’s double-overtime win against Castle Park.
That 42-39 victory on Dec. 12, gave the Islanders (1-21) their first win in two seasons.
Youngblood was also a fan of the practices throughout the week, and like Alarcon, considers the memories made during those long hours some of the best.
Youngblood said she’s planning on participating in track this spring and will continue to prepare for college once basketball is over. Youngblood isn’t the only multisport senior, however.
As Katie Potter prepares for her last game, she said she’s looking forward to the upcoming lacrosse season this spring. After high school, she is planning on attending a university but is still undecided.
“Our practices were full of laughter and fun”
-Senior Katie Potter
“Our practices were full of laughter and fun, but I’m grateful that I was still able to improve and help build a stronger team,” Potter said.
America Camarillo is the fourth and final senior who played for the team all four years of high school.
Basketball has been a commitment for Camarillo, and she said she’s looking forward to living her present life to fullest once she hangs up the basketball shoes for good.
Camarillo said college will be her main priority after graduation, and she intends to study business.
“The most memorable events during my four years at Coronado came during the van rides on our way to road games,” Camarillo said. This season in specific has been rewarding for Camarillo, who said she always will appreciate the patience and persistence it taught her.
The Islanders’ senior bunch had one newcomer this year: Rikka Navarrette.
She said the memories she made during her brief tenure with the team has made her wish she had played all four years.
“It was special to have the boys team cheering us on that night”
-Senior Rikka Navarrette on the team’s double-overtime win.
“My favorite moment would have to be our first win, and it was special to have the boys team cheering us on that night,” Navarrette said.
She plans on staying local for two years as she begins her college journey, and then will go out of state to complete her degree.
This senior group is, according to Coolidge, a stubborn, frustrating group of girls who still manage to remain lovable and compassionate.
They’ve had more downs than ups this season, but Coolidge was quick to note how positive the seniors kept the entire team.
He said his four returning seniors responded to the challenges all season and added that “Rikka, who was new to basketball fit right in… she became a big part of our team spirit.”
Each girl provided something essential to the team and that’s what has made this group so special, Coolidge said.
