PREP BASKETBALL ‘92-’93 / SOUTH COAST LEAGUE : Newidouski’s Style Not for the Timid

When Adara Newidouski, Dana Hills’ high-scoring forward, wants to get on the basketball court during the off-season, she doesn’t let the absence of girls’ competition stop her.

Newidouski has her own solution. She scours the beach area looking for pickup games with the boys.

“You go out and play pickup games, and you don’t see any girls around,” Newidouski said. “A lot of girls play during the season, but they don’t play year-round. There are a lot more pickup games for the guys, and the girls are a little more timid (about getting involved).”

Newidouski is anything but intimidated about playing with the boys. She’s been doing it most of her life.

“I was a tomboy and really physical in early grade school,” she said. “I played with the guys whether it was T-ball, soccer or you-name-it, and it continued from there.”

In fourth grade, Newidouski discovered basketball and the guys had a tough new competitor.

“I started playing basketball and found out that was my sport,” she said.

When she was 11, Newidouski moved with her mother and younger sister and brother from Yucca Valley to the Orange County beach area. There was plenty more to do, including numerous pickup basketball and volleyball games.

“Playing with the boys, I continued to improve,” Newidouski said. “I was being helped by the higher level of competition. I played in the Laguna Beach league when I was in seventh grade, and I was the only girl in the boys’ league.”

It was after moving with her family from Laguna Beach to Dana Point that Newidouski became a force on the court playing against girls.

“I’m glad I’m at Dana Hills,” she said. “If we had stayed in Laguna Beach, I’d be playing in the Pacific Coast League. The basketball program here at Dana Hills is much stronger. The South Coast League is one of the toughest around, so I’m glad that happened.”

Newidouski, a 5-foot-10 senior, has the ability to be competitive no matter her opponent’s gender. In track and field, she was the South Coast League girls’ discus champion last spring, the shot put champion in 1991, and she finished second in both events her freshman year.

She has bests of 37-1 in the shot put and 136-9 in the discus.

Currently, Newidouski is focusing on the upcoming South Coast League basketball race.

She is averaging 16.6 points and 10.4 rebounds for the Dolphins (7-2) and was named the most valuable player at the La Quinta tournament last week.

“I’m real excited and can’t wait for the league to start,” she said. “I think we have a real good chance. Every game will be tough. Irvine was weak, but they’re gone, and now we have Mater Dei.

“As for us, obviously Capistrano Valley is our major competition. I’d love to beat them. We haven’t beaten them since I’ve been in high school. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mater Dei gave us a good shot.”

Newidouski hopes her play will eventually result in a college scholarship.

“My goal right now is to get a four-year scholarship,” she said. “Long Beach State, Hawaii, Arizona State, Washington and Oregon have kept in touch. Surprisingly, I’ve also been getting letters in track. I’ve been taking all college-prep courses. Basketball will only get you so far.”