BY BRENDA AGUILAR

Senior varsity captain Nicole Valdiviez has been playing basketball since she was little, but explains it wasn’t until seventh grade when she completely fell in love with the game.

Growing up, she saw her brother play the game which inspired her to want to play basketball.

“I was very scared to play when I saw my brother play,” Valdiviez said.

However, even though she was very scared when she first started to learn, she soon conquered that fear with her brother’s guidance and became a great basketball player.

As a freshman, she tried out for the basketball team and impressed the coaches, making it to the varsity team. She has played on varsity for all four years and is currently jersey #22. She continues to impress the coaches and the other players on the team.

During her junior year in high school, Valdiviez was named captain which she expresses has helped her gain leadership skills. Her guidance helps the other players gain confidence.

As a senior, she still loves and enjoys playing the game with her hardworking teammates.  She enjoys being with her team on and off the court it makes basketball more fun for Valdiviez. 

“We are dedicated and are always here at school whether it is at 6 a.m. or after school,” Valdiviez said.

Their dedication is shown on the court at the games whether they fall of defeat.

Valdiviez is looking forward to the basketball season and is hopeful that her team makes it to CIF. A motto she lives by on and off the court is “anyone can do anything”.