Chen earns Prep League’s top prize
A magical season for the Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball team that included an unexpected postseason march has a few awards to accompany it.
Rebels sophomore Kaitlyn Chen was voted the Prep League Most Valuable Player, while three teammates were selected to the league’s first and second teams.
For the second time in three seasons, the Rebels advanced to a CIF Southern Section championship game.
Yet, this season’s squad lacked the senior leadership and experience pedigree that the 2015-16 CIF Southern Section Division V-AA title squad did.
Nonetheless, the Rebels put together an outstanding 2017-18 campaign that featured a 12-0 run to a Prep League crown, advancement to the Division III-A title game and a final record of 24-8.
“This year is special because we had no seniors and were really young,” said Flintridge Prep co-coach Kevin Kiyomura, who splits the duties with Jayme Kiyomura Chan. “We didn’t have great team chemistry when we started and we probably had to work harder than we ever had do, but you know what? We did things that we didn’t think were possible because we learned to believe in each other.”
At times this season and during the postseason, the dynamic Chen carried her squad.
The guard averaged an area-best 20 points per game, with 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.4 assists a contest.
Chen is the third straight Rebel to win the league most valuable player award after Taylor Yoshida (2017) and Tala Ismail (2016).
“It’s amazing to win the award and be among the great people who have won the award like Taylor last year,” Chen said. “I was a little surprised by it. There are definitely a lot of good players in the league like [Pasadena Poly’s] Sarah Johnson, so it’s exciting.”
Flintridge Prep sophomore shooting guard Andie Kim was honored for her efforts by being named to the league’s first team. Kim averaged 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
“To be honest, when Andie first came to us, I liked her game because of her ability to play,” Kiyomura said. “We’ve asked her to be a shooter and she’s a knockdown shooter. She’s more of a complete player now.”
Flintridge Prep freshman guard Sofia Gonzalez (10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game) and junior center Madison Manning (5.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game) were named to the league’s second team.
