Peoria High School’s girls’ basketball team exceeded expectations this season, finishing with an 18-10 record. The Panthers were recognized for their performance this season with five girls on the team receiving regional awards in 4A West Valley.
Junior Britany Kogbara made first team 4A West Valley Region, while senior Samantha Thomas was placed on the second team. Seniors MyKaela Daniels and Gabrielle Gutierrez, as well as junior Angelique Morena, all received regional honorable mentions.
The girls were led under first-year head coach RaShawn Calvert, who said she thinks the Panthers “exceeded every goal that we want it this year as a team, besides obviously winning the championship.
“I’m honored to be coaching this group of girls. It’s a rare team. And from my perspective, coaches come across those rare teams kind of once in a lifetime. I’m just honored to just kind of be a leader and be there for whatever it is that they need for me, because in return, they show that they do this thing.”
Kogbara, whom Calvert said she loves having on the floor, averaged 10.7 points per game for the Lions on the season. However, the 5-foot-11 forward stood out on the defensive side of the ball, as she averaged 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.8 blocks.
“She’s someone who has the ability to literally just do kind of whatever it is she wants to on the court when she puts her mind to it. She works harder than any big I’ve ever seen in my life,” Calvert said.
“She played our post position and has the capability to kind of do whatever: put it on the floor, she’ll rebound, she’ll block, she’ll steal, she takes charges. Britany is that all-around player whom we absolutely love having on our team. And we’re excited because this was just her junior year, and with everything she achieved, I know personally just having conversations with her next year, she’s definitely going to make a lot of noise, not just in our region but probably in the state of Arizona.”
Thomas was the team’s leading scorer on the season, with 11.9 points per game. The guard played on varsity all four years, “and that alone kind of just tells you just how much ahead she was as a basketball player,” Calvert said. Thomas is receiving collegiate offers but has not made a decision, according to Calvert.
“A lot of people who played against us just know how much of a player she was for our program,” Calvert said. “People had to worry about her, and that, in return, helped others on our team be successful with how successful she was.”
“She was one of the best shooters I personally have coached in my life. And that’s definitely something we will miss next season. But even more than just our shooting, she was a scorer. (This was) definitely a high, well-deserved honor for her as well.”
Morena came off the bench for the Panthers and averaged 4.8 points per game to go along with 3.3 rebounds and two steals. Morena was the team’s “sixth man,” and this was “definitely an award she deserved,” Calvert said.
“Ang was just one of those players who filled whatever we needed, defensively or offensively. I’m just looking forward to a very good senior season for her. She’s definitely a name people should look out for,” Calvert said.
Daniels was the team’s captain this season, “and that alone tells you a lot about her character on and off the court,” Calvert said. The senior, in her second season on varsity, averaged five points and 2.5 steals for the Panthers this season, and this was “definitely another well-deserved honor,” Calvert said.
“She was the glue for our entire program, not just our varsity team. She held us together and, again, was willing to do just whatever it took for her teammates to be successful. She was just someone that always put others before herself.
“I’ve reiterated to the girls they have big shoes to fill. Because, I mean, she was that captain, and it was a role she walked into. It’s not like, ‘Oh, we needed to vote on it and make a decision.’ Like, she kind of just honestly herself alone made that staple. So just as a program, we are going to miss having her around for all those reasons and many more, but I definitely think she’s set the bar high. And others know the expectations with wanting to be named in that role next season with her no longer being there.”
Gutierrez played all four of her years on varsity and this season averaged 7.5 points and 1.8 steals per game. According to Calvert, the guard is also receiving collegiate offers but hasn’t made a decision.
“Gabby was just a fantastic all-around, amazing basketball player,” Calvert said. “I’m happy she was able to get this honor, because I definitely know she probably didn’t have the season she wanted to, but Gabby always showed up when we needed her.
“If we were lacking for just some scoring Gabby, you know, wanted to get the job done. If we had to lock down defensively, Gabby stepped up to the challenge. She was just always so ready to go. And she brought the IQ perspective to our program more than anyone else, just kind of knowing the game more than just from the aspect of a player. So, I’m definitely going to miss her, but a well-deserved honor for her as well.”
Calvert appreciates the staff who helped her build the successful program.
“Obviously none of this could have been done without my staff, as well, coach John Macias (freshman) and coach Megan Mullings (JV),” Calvert said.
“They led our JV and our freshmen teams but made sure that varsity was put together and, you know, just the different ways and every aspect that they brought.
“So, a lot of people look at head coaches and whatnot, but my assistant coaches carried a lot of the reason why we were this successful this season as well.”