“It’s like I’m here all the time,” said Pappas, who eclipsed the 1,500-point barrier during Crescenta Valley’s 58-32 victory against St. Paul on Dec. 31 in the 11th-place contest of the prestigious Beverly Hills/Harvard-Westlake Tournament at Beverly Hills High. “I want to improve on all things.
“I stay after practice if I don’t have much homework. The gym sure seems big [when it’s empty].”
In sharp contrast, she’s become used to playing in front of large crowds while making huge shots late in games to propel the Falcons, who are 14-4 and 4-1 in the Pacific League entering Wednesday’s league home game against Burbank.
Following the conclusion of the aforementioned St. Paul game, Pappas earned all-tournament accolades.
The honor didn’t surprise Perez, who saw Pappas pour in 28 points in Crescenta Valley’s 74-51 loss to powerhouse Harvard-Westlake in a tournament game Dec. 28.
“She was definitely one of the best players in that tournament,” said Perez, who led the Falcons to a second-place finish in league last season behind Muir and a trip to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division I-A playoffs. “The biggest thing about any great basketball player is how much time they practice.
“So, I have to open up the gym two or three times a week for her. Her liking to practice on her own time is a big part of why she’s become so successful.”
Pappas, who has 1,596 career points, has been nothing short of excellent throughout her time with the Falcons. Pappas averaged 16 points and 7.2 rebounds per game to secure All-Area second-team honors during her sophomore campaign before registering a team-best 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season en route to being selected to the All-Area first team and All-CIF Division I second team.
