Providence’s Camonayan, Zozulenko share top league accolade
They both possessed valuable talents that benefited the Providence High girls’ basketball team during the 2017-18 season.
For senior Giselle Camonayan, it was her staunch defense that helped the Pioneers thrive, while it was the scoring prowess of freshman Melissa Zozulenko that shined.
Behind the potent one-two punch, Providence captured the Liberty League title in its final season in the league. Camonayan and Zozulenko were rewarded for their contributions as they were voted co-Liberty League Players of the Year.
“They were just two players that we relied on so much at both ends of the floor,” said Providence coach Andrew Bencze, whose team will join the Prep League beginning next season. “They both made significant contributions for us.
“So when you look at it from a most valuable player perspective, they were both just so valuable to us and it’s really hard to separate them.”
Senior Francesca Maravilla was also recognized with a spot on the singular All-Liberty League squad.
The Pioneers went 9-1 in the Liberty League to notch the program’s eighth crown in nine seasons — all under Bencze. In the playoffs, the Providence (22-9) advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV-A semifinals for the first time since 2013 and earned a spot in the CIF State playoffs for the third time in program history.
“I never really saw an award like this in reach for me because I focus more on the defensive end and I don’t do a lot of scoring and that kind of player is not always recognized in that kind of way,” Camonayan said. “For me, I feel playing good defense is something that I can control and something that I can contribute to the team.
“So, because of that I was completely surprised when coach told me about the award.”
While Camonayan stood out on defense, Zozulenko consistently led the Pioneers in scoring.
“I just tried to find different ways that I could score and do what I could for the team,” Zozulenko said. “I just try and focus on what I have to do and just think about the game that I was playing in and try not to look to the next game.
“In the beginning just being a freshman, I was kind of nervous and I really didn’t know what to expect. But my team really made me feel welcomed and feel comfortable.”
Zozulenko had perhaps the most successful freshman season in Providence program history, averaging 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 2.3 assists a game.
“Melissa is just a phenomenal basketball player and a great scorer who had several 30-point games for us,” Bencze said. “She was the one person who, no matter who we were playing, she just couldn’t be stopped.
“From the offensive side of the ball, especially during the early part of the season, she was the one who really carried us. When our team was trying to come together, she was the one who we could kind of lean on.”
Camonayan, a three-year varsity player, was the leader of a tough, swarming Providence defense that has become the team’s calling card. The senior averaged four points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals.
“During the season, but particularly during the league season, it was Giselle’s defense that really sparked us and made us play better,” Bencze said. “She just dominated for us defensively and in a few games it really was her defense that made the difference.
“She really had a tough job because she had to guard the other team’s top offensive player every game. She just learned over the years how to play tough defense and she figured out it was all about effort and a will and pride that made for great defense.”
Maravilla averaged 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.
“With her, it was all about leadership,” Bencze said. “She was the person who we counted on the most. When we needed something to be run the right way, we wanted the ball in her hands.
“We ran our offense through her and she was just a great decision maker and someone who I really trusted. She also just improved so much this year.”
Twitter: @jefftsports
