GAMES
RANKINGS
IMPROVING HER GAME: Sanborn Takes Big Steps In Basketball, Earns College Nod
THE MIX OF NERVOUSNESS AND EXCITEMENT ALL AT THE SAME TIME CAN CREATE A UNIQUE FEELING WITHIN A PERSON ASTHEY START A NEW JOURNEY.
For Breelyn Sanborn, that was the feeling as she walked into St. Pius X two years ago. Coming to a new school, joining a new team can be a lot to take in at once but the move paid off.
"It was a new environment.New chance,” Sanborn said. “I feel like I got a lot better as a person and better athletically.”
The improvements Sanborn made an impact on the future of her basketball career.
After her junior season, Sanborn – who averaged 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a junior for St.Pius X – committed to the University of Incarnate Word in July and signed with the Cardinals this year.
“The coaching staff, the city and my team,” Sanborn said. “The whole community I really liked it. I fell in love with it when I went and visited. I’m super excited.”
Playing college basketball was something that she knew she wanted to do her entire life since she started playing the game at a young age.
Sanborn loves the “competitiveness and winning” aspect of the game, which she was able to do quite a bit of under DeMya Wheatfall.
Being under a coach who succeeded at the next level and in the WNBA , Sanborn said had a huge affect on her.
“She was a role model,” she said. “I would like to play pro or in the WNBA, so having somebody like that to look up to helps me push myself further.”
As far as her own legacy at St. Pius X?“
[I want to be remembered for] how we changed the program and won a lot more games,” Sanborn said. “I just [want them to] continue to win and get the program better.”
LPCA Girls Basketball Team
TROPHY HUNTERS: LPCA Girls Hoops Finish As TAPPS 4A State Runner-Ups In 2022
A YEAR AFTER REACHING THE TAPPS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, 11TH-YEAR COACH AUDRA MAY FOUND HERSELF ONCE AGAIN STANDING ON THE SIDELINES WATCHING HER TEAM BATTLE FOR THE CROWN AGAIN IN 2022.
Legacy Prep ran through Veritas Academy (58-20), St.Thomas Episcopal (61-47) and then Lutheran High School (49-41) to reach the title game in March.
In the end, the Lions fell short to Lubbock ChristianSchool to finish as the TAPPS4A State Runner-Ups for a second-straight season.
“We were here last year and lost to the same team, so the girls were dead seton coming back here and— if nothing else — giving them a better fight,” said May following the game.“We fought through injuries all year long... I feel like we kind of limped into the finals, but I couldn’t be prouder of how hard they played.
”The Lions finished the year with a 22-11 overall mark.
Legacy Prep was led by senior Maddie Steed’s 15.8points, 4.5 rebounds, 4assists and 5.8 steals per game this season. Younger sister Molly Steed, just a sophomore, averaged 9.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game.
Junior Georgia Freeman averaged 8.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4 blocks, senior Mary Wittmer averaged 7.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists and MK Kloesel chipped in 7.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game to help pace the Lions’ offense.
“Mary is like the team mom,” May said. “She’s the general of the offense. She has grown so much in the last few years that she has been here. I’m really going to miss her. She’s also a great baker.”
As May took a second to look back on the season, the veteran coach said her favorite memory of the year was seeing the freshmen on the squad develop.
“They’re not afraid, and I love that about them,” she said. “They’re fearless. They are fun to watch.”