BY STEPHEN LYNCH
Successful high school basketball teams usually have several seniors that the younger players count on to provide leadership on and off the court as well as step up and make big plays during crucial moments of games.
This year for the Arvin High girls, all those responsibilities and much more were shouldered by the team’s lone senior, Emily Flores.
The 5-foot-8 senior stepped up to the challenge in a big way, leading Arvin (28-6) to the Central Section Division III championship game.
“She was really the glue that held everything together and really kept us on path,” Arvin coach Mario Pena said. “On the court, she was a beast under the boards. She kept us in several games by herself with her offensive and defensive rebounding. Her determination all through the season was unmatched. You couldn't ask for a better leader and player.”
Flores, an All-South Sequoia League First Team selection, averaged 8.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Renowned for her strong work ethic and being highly competitive, Flores had eight double-doubles.
“When we were down, and we could have lost games, it was Emily's leadership, whether it was vocal, or whether it was with her tenacious play, pulled us through a lot of those rough spots,” Pena said. “All of our girls looked up to her.”