The Coronado High School women’s basketball team hosted their senior night for their two graduating players, Susanna Pate and Virginia Ryan, on Jan. 2 as they faced the Mission Bay Buccaneers.
“I’m excited for it; I feel like I’ve been looking forward to this game all week,” said Pate. “I feel like it’s really special, it’s once in a lifetime.”
This was Pate’s first season playing for the CHS women’s basketball team. She is currently committed to play Division 1 softball for Cornell University. As the captain of the varsity softball team, the ASB Vice President, an Islander Sports Foundation student representative and National Honor Society member, she can now add varsity basketball to her list of accolades.
The decision to join the team came after overcoming years of injuries that prohibited her from participating.
“This year I was healthy and didn’t have to focus on softball as much, knowing where I was going,” said Pate. “It gave me a fun opportunity to work on my athleticism and have some fun at the same time.”
Pate and Ryan play integral role on team
Despite this being her first go at basketball, her integration into the team was seamless.
“Susanna came in right away,” said Head Coach John Coolidge. “She’s played softball her whole life, at a very high level, so she knows how to be a leader. She knows how to hold them accountable. Just by her play alone, they’ll follow her anywhere.”
Ryan, a 6’4” defensive asset for the Islanders, has played for the CHS women’s basketball team for the past four years.
“Her defense changes a game. Coaches change how they play against us because she will make your best player think about coming into the paint,” said Coolidge.
His favorite part about coaching the athlete has been witnessing her growth over time.
“When Virginia first started, she was about 6 feet tall and she looked like a baby giraffe. She had no clue what she was doing, never played a sport before. Now she’s 6’4” and she actually broke the school record last year that was 30 years old for most blocked shots in a single season,” Coolidge said.
Ryan averaged seven blocks per game last year, according to Coolidge. However it’s her academic average she intends to carry with her into her college career. With a GPA of 4.4, Ryan hopes to attend a UC school next year.
Islanders lose to the Buccaneers
The women Islanders stand at a record of 3-11 this season, competing at the Division 4 level. With three games left in the season, they had to win each game in order to make it to the playoffs. Their 26-38 loss to the Mission Bay Buccaneers on senior night solidified their standing.
“It was very exciting, we all played a great game,” said Ryan. “These girls have been amazing for the entire four years I’ve been on the team and they’re always giving their 100%. We played senior night strong and to me that’s all that matters.”
Win or lose, Pate’s season mentality was to come into each game with an optimistic mindset.
“Positivity has been something I’ve been trying to bring in this season. Just trying to make the most out of every game, regardless of the outcome,” said Pate.
The two seniors walked out alongside their parents on senior night. Coolidge’s hope is to see the girls back on that same gym floor someday down the line.
“I hope for the best, I hope they’ll come back. We’ve had players from the past come back and practice with us,” said Coolidge. “When we put our hands in when we leave timeouts, we always say, ‘Family.’ And they really believe that this is a family.”
