Richard Smith
West Valley Preps
Numbers do not always tell the story on the basketball court.
Centennial seniors Paige Isaac and Chantel Sloan have started for three years, flanking classmate Taylor Leonard on the perimeter. Neither Isaac or Sloan have averaged double figures in points nor gaudy totals in rebounds, assists or steals, while Leonard has not scored less than 15 points per game in the last three seasons.
Yet their contributions to the team and program are as profound, veteran Coyotes girls basketball coach Matt Visintainer said.
"Sloan started coming to camps when she was in seventh grade. She would always want to stay after to work on something. She has grown up to be an tremendous individual. She is one of the toughest kids I have coached over the years. She does things that don’t always show up in the scorebook. Her positioning on defense keeps the opponents engaged so if she doesn’t get the rebound her teammate does. She does not care who gets the credit, she is incredibly selfless," Visintainer said. "Paige has improved as well. She was predominately an offensive focused player focused on scoring. She has developed to be a tremendous passer and a solid defender. She sees the floor well, and enjoys giving assists to players as much as she does like to score."
They also fit seamlessly with Leonard.
Isaac said the trio developed a chemistry very quickly, and have a way of reading the floor and reading what they’re going to do,.
"We always knew what everybody’s next move was — what we had planned and what we were going to do," Sloan said.
As juniors, they took a larger role in leading the program.
Getting a postseason win and matching up with tough teams like champion Gilbert Mesquite, runner up Phoenix Sierra Linda and Phoenix Arcadia prepared the Coyotes to hang with, and sometimes beat, those teams this season.
"Last year was kind of where our whole team figured out how we’re going to work together and also for this year, because it’s basically the same players. It led to a better season this year," Isaac said.
This year Centennial has knocked off Sierra Linda. And the three seniors said, they played Mesquite, overwhelming favorite to repeat, closer than the 81-60 final score indicates.
"Even though Mesquite was a loss, we gave everything we had and we were right in that game with them. It gives us a confidence boost," Sloan said.
The 54-45 triumps against Sierra Linda is freshest in the minds of Coyote fans. It also showed the team is more than just Leonard and a supporting cast.
Sloan and Leonard led the way with 12 points apeice, but sophomore Ashley Lifgren added 11, Isaac had 10 and junior post Jamia Clark chipped in 8.
"It gives us confidence because they did make it to state last year. Beating them helps us realize we can definitely play in the playoffs with teams like them," Isaac said.
Visintainer said their seniors’ leadership roles were earned by what they did on a daily basis.
He said coaches ask a lot of them and they always answer the call. The seniors initiate things when its time, and do things without being asked, an attribute that great people possess.
"They are a tremendous example for the younger players on and off the court. They welcomed players who joined the team with open arms every year. When Ashley Lifgren came up as a freshmen they instantly clicked with each other. Ashley came in and earned her spot it, her teammates supported her and pushed her. She grabbed a 126 rebounds her freshmen year. She was coming off of winning the state championship in volleyball and you would not have known it at all. She is one of the most humble players I have coached," Visintainer said. "It is a solid reflection of the expectations that are placed on them. They are a lot of fun to be around. The atmosphere is positive and competitive."
