Peter Samore
GLENDALE--Sinnamonn Garrett waited for her turn to be a leader on
the Crescenta Valley High girls' basketball team. After former Falcon
superstars Michelle Greco and Tara Gregory graduated in 1998, the
then-sophomore Garrett's time had come to become team captain.
Afterward, honors came in abundance for the forward. She repeated as
Pacific League most valuable player in 1999 and 2000 and, now, she
repeats as the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and Foothill Leader
girls' basketball player of the year.
"I wanted the chance to be the leader," Garrett said. "Playing behind
Michelle and Tara made me patient and wait my turn."
In her four-year varsity tenure, Garrett's teams had eight new players
each year and were coached by three different coaches: Mark Ward in her
freshman year, Damien Scribner in her sophomore and junior years and
Allen Freemon in this, her senior year.
Garrett said this would only help her during her upcoming college
years at New Mexico State University.
"I feel I can play with anyone now," Garrett said. "Some players need
special circumstances, having to play with the right players and the
right coaches. I can just go out and play."
Garrett attributed most of her development to Narbonne High Coach
James Anderson, whose team won the city section and state titles this
season. Anderson has worked with Garrett three to five months a year for
seven years in summer leagues.
"I was bad when I started," Garrett said. "When I was younger, I once
played 13 seconds in a game when we were down by 30.
"However, he constantly continued to push me. My ball handling,
shooting and being able to play more than one position is thanks to him."
During league play, Garrett averaged 21.9 points per game for the 6-4
Falcons, who finished second place in league.
CV advanced to a second-round CIF Southern Section Division IAA
playoff game, where it fell to Oxnard High but finished with a 17-10
record.
Five players make up the all-area first team. Shaina Zaidi of
Burroughs High helped the Indians to a 19-9 record as she earned Foothill
League first team honors. She averaged 15 points in league play.
Indian teammate Gracie Coronado averaged 17 points and eight rebounds
per league game, as Burroughs advanced to the CIF Southern Section
Division IIA second-round playoffs. Though Burroughs succumbed to
Newberry Park High, 82-73, Zaidi had 29 points and Coronado added 16.
Hoover High's Tenie Hartounian also received all-area honors. The
Pacific League first teammer averaged 19 points per game in league, where
the Tornadoes finished 3-7.
Ana Coronado averaged 16 points and seven rebounds in Santa Fe League
play for Bellarmine-Jefferson High. The Guards lost, 60-50, to Montclair
Prep in a CIF Southern Section Division VAA wild card playoff, in which
Ana Coronado finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Christine Kepenekian of Burbank High rounded out the list of first
teammers. She averaged 15 points per game in Foothill League play. Though
the Bulldogs finished 13-14 overall and sixth in league, they advanced to
the CIF Southern Section Division IA second-round playoffs. Kepenekian
scored 26 points in Burbank's loss to Santa Barbara High, 71-49.
SECOND TEAM BOX
Hilary Driffill, Center, Glendale High
Cortney Adams, Forward, La Canada High
Michelle Duncan, Center, Burbank High
Karri Keeble, Forward, Village Christian School
Allision Layne, Guard, Providence High
