Hard Work Helps Sortino Make a Point at Guard

This was supposed to be a challenging season for Melisa Sortino, point guard for the Marina High School girls’ basketball team.

Sortino, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, played off guard, or shooting guard, last season. But this season, she has made a successful transition to point guard.

“I went to all kinds of (basketball) camps this past summer,” Sortino said. “I went to the (Cal State Long Beach) 49er camp, I went to Oregon--all over the place. We (Marina) had 20 games this summer and I only was able to make five of them.”

That didn’t bother Marina Coach Pete Bonny, however.

“She knew I wanted her to play point guard and that (playing point) would improve her chances of earning a scholarship to a college program, so she worked harder than nearly anyone I’ve coached,” Bonny said.

Sortino’s hard work is paying off. She has earned a scholarship to play basketball at the University of San Diego and she has helped Marina to a 3-0 Sunset League record, 14-4 overall.

Last week, Sortino led Marina to three league victories. Tuesday, she had 17 points and six assists in a 78-32 victory over Westminster. Thursday, Sortino had 35 points, including five three-pointers, to lead Marina to a 72-52 victory over Huntington Beach. Saturday, she had 28 points, including three three-pointers, to lead Marina to a 77-33 victory over Edison.

“It was the best week I had this year,” Sortino said. “I got mentally prepared for league (play). We were pumped for Edison.”

Bonny admits that Sortino’s scoring seems a bit high for a point guard but says, half-jokingly, that “now she doesn’t have to rely on someone else to get her the ball.”

Sortino explains it differently.

“The point is really tough mentally, because you have to be mentally in the game all the time,” she said. “But I like being in control. My role is to be a leader, a scorer and to direct the team.”

Said Bonny: “Her duty is to make the right decision.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Sara Bone had 34 points to lead El Toro to an 81-42 nonleague victory over Katella Saturday.

Denise Gandara had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead University to a 63-56 Sea View League victory over Estancia Thursday.

Amy Jalewalia scored 34 points Wednesday to lead La Quinta to an 80-29 Garden Grove League victory over Bolsa Grande and had 42 points Friday in a 74-16 victory over Santiago.

Melisa Sortino

Marina High School

* Position: Guard

* Height, Weight, Class: 5-7, 120, Senior

* Last Week: Sortino averaged 26 points in three Sunset League victories.

* Season: Sortino is averaging 24 points and six assists.