Tested trio guides Centennial in its quest for the school’s sixth state championship

Tested trio guides Centennial in its quest for the school’s sixth state championship

BY JESSE ZENTZ - jzentz@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2011 Idaho Statesman
Published: 02/17/11

Seniors Sofia Huerta and Jessica Rutter, and junior Sierrna Short have come a long way since warming the bench at the 2009 5A girls basketball state tournament.

The returning starters now form the heart of an undefeated Centennial team determined to erase four years of state tournament frustration by claiming the program’s first title since 2006.

“They’ve provided great leadership and they play really well together,” Centennial coach Emery Roy said. “They’re all very positive, expecially with the younger kids, and they keep this team moving forward.”

Centennial (23-0) meets District Three foe Meridian (10-14) in the first round at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Idaho Center in Nampa. The winner will advance to Friday’s semifinals and will meet Lewiston (19-3) or Capital (18-6), which get the tournament started at 1:15 p.m.

Two years ago, Huerta and Rutter didn’t play a minute at state. Short contributed a total of 8 minutes, 54 seconds in the first round and semifinals and produced one rebound and one steal, but joined Huerta and Rutter on the bench for the duration of the championship game against Coeur d’Alene. The three watched in disbelief as the Patriots lost 54-50 in overtime.

“Being there really helped us understandhow important that state experience is,” Rutter said.

Last year, all three players started three games at state, but after a first-round victory, the Patriots lost back-to-back games — including a 57-52 overtime loss against Lewiston in the semifinals — and finished without a trophy.

“Last year was so much harder to take, because we were on the floor almost every minute,” Huerta said. “We all contributed and we lost it. That was tough. Two years ago, we really were there mostly to watch and learn.”

In three tournament games last year, the trio combined for 4 hours, 21 minutes, 12 seconds of playing time and chalked up 80 points (26.7 per game), 40 rebounds (13.3), 17 assists (5.7) and 22 steals (7.3).

Entering this week’s tournament, the trio averages 37.1 points (61 percent of the team’s output), 12.9 rebounds (36.2 percent), 6.6 assists (52.2 percent) and 8.0 steals (55.4 percent) per game.

If the three continue to play the way they have throughout the season, the Patriots should be in good hands this week.

Huerta — a two-time Gatorade Idaho Girls Soccer Player of the Year, a 2010 5A All-Idaho second-teamer in girls basketball and a three-time reigning state champion in the 300 hurdles — averages 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds, along with team-highs of 4.3 assists and 4.2 steals per game.

Short averages a team-high 13.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

And Rutter leads the team in rebounds with 5.5 per game, along with 11.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals.

While the three produce similar stats, they each approach the game differently.

The consensus is Huerta is the fiery motivator, Short is the stoic competitor and Rutter’s consistently positive attitude points the team in the right direction.

“I think we all bring something important, but we balance each other out,” Short said.

All three are also quite aware the team wouldn’t be close to where it is without a young, but talented supporting cast. The Patriots’ state roster features three seniors, six juniors and four sophomores. Sophomore guard Sherise Porchia (5.8 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.5 spg) and junior forward Emily Stickney (7.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) join Huerta, Short and Rutter in the starting lineup.

“The younger players don’t understand how important they are to this team,” said Huerta, who recently signed a national letter of intent to play soccer for NCAA Division I power Santa Clara. “They make us so much better in practice every day and they deserve just as much credit for every win. I really want them to know they are a big reason why we’re here. The three of us were in the same position two years ago.”

The experience the three returning starters bring to the Idaho Center should be invaluable for a team that features several players who haven’t lost a varsity game, thanks to Centennial’s unblemished record.

“We’ve learned a lot from the last two years and just because we’re undefeated, we don’t expect an easy game at state,” Short said. “I think this team is capable of winning state, but we have to have the right mind-set. I’m sure the younger players are pretty nervous, but it’s our job to use our experience to keep everyone focused and relaxed.”

Said Rutter: “We’ve experienced heartache, but we can’t think about that. We need to have some fun and make sure we leave the court knowing we gave it our best shot, win or lose.”


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