PREP BASKETBALL ‘91-’92: GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE : Stecker Plays Just for Fun of It : Rancho Alamitos: Senior guard, who plays basketball for the camaraderie, has quickly become Vaqueros’ leader.

An unexpected thing happened to Anita Stecker on her way to high school academic nirvana. She became a standout basketball player.

Stecker, a 5-foot-9 senior guard at Rancho Alamitos who has been an A student her four years at the school, got into the sport in a sort of buddy-system support operation.

“One of my friends convinced me to play, so I came out for the freshman-sophomore team,” Stecker said. “My parents really stressed schoolwork, so I was usually at home doing homework instead of being at the playground. A lot of girls I knew were into soccer or softball or swimming, but I never was into any of that stuff. I was clueless the first time I played basketball. I had no idea what was going on.”

She has caught on fast. Last year, Stecker demonstrated her growth on the court by averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds as a forward and was selected All-County second team. She also was one of three Rancho Alamitos players on the All-Garden Grove League first team.

Her play helped the Vaqueros win the league title and take the longest unbeaten streak of the year among county teams (26 games) into the Southern Section Division III-A semifinals. Rancho Alamitos lost its only game of the season, 74-72, to eventual champion Playa del Rey St. Bernard.

In that game, Stecker gave her best effort of the season, getting 25 points, 14 rebounds and blocking four shots.

This season, she’ll probably be the shooting guard in Coach Bob Becker’s five-man motion offense because the team has good personnel in the front line. Becker said he has no doubts Stecker will handle the job admirably.

“She’s got a really good shot,” said Becker, who has another solid club this season. “She’s got great mechanics. It’s just a matter of getting her the ball.”

The shift in position is inconsequential for Stecker, an unassuming girl who plays as much for the camaraderie as an opportunity to compete in athletics. She wholeheartedly subscribes to Becker’s team philosophy that leaves no room for egos to develop.

“Basketball gives me a chance to relax, if you can call running your butt off relaxing,” said Stecker, laughing. “I don’t feel at all that I stand out. A lot of my success is due to my teammates. When I shoot I get good passes or good picks. Everybody on this team is equal and everybody does their job.”

Well, almost. Though he prefers to maintain a low-key approach when passing out superlatives about his players, Becker is generous on his praise for Stecker.

“She’s a kid you want the other girls to emulate,” Becker said. “She doesn’t crave the publicity. She’s one of those blue-collar workers on the court. She’s a good role model for the foundation of our program.”

Becker noted, and Stecker agreed, that her game could be even better with a stronger commitment. But when you are focused on preparing for a career in the medical field, and your life revolves around more than zone defenses and fast breaks, the idea of devoting more time to the sport is pointless.

“I don’t think she’s reached her potential,” Becker said. “If she spent more time on basketball she’d surprise herself at how good she could really be. But she’s got other outside interests. She’s a very well-rounded individual who’s into a lot of different things.”

Said Stecker: “I’m working toward an academic scholarship. If I’m offered a basketball scholarship, I don’t know if I would take it.”

1990--91 IN REVIEW

Team League Overall Rancho Alamitos 14-0 26-1 Kennedy 10-4 20-7 Santiago 8-6 14-11 Los Amigos 8-6 11-12 Pacifica 5-9 7-13 La Quinta 5-9 8-17 Garden Grove 4-10 10-15 Bolsa Grande 2-12 7-17

League MVP: Valerie Ruiz (Kennedy)