1993-94 TIMES ALL-VALLEY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM : PLAYER OF THE YEAR : Rigley Took Control to Rescue Alemany

One need only look at a one-minute stretch to understand Samantha Rigley’s value to the Alemany High basketball team.

Cut to the Southern Section Division II-A championship game against San Bernardino.

The Indians are undefeated and have barely been challenged all season. They have a comfortable lead over the Cardinals until the end of the third quarter, when ultra-quick San Bernardino guard LaTonya Kindle catches fire and sparks a comeback.

Twice in a row Kindle steals the ball from Alemany’s point guard and scores on breakaway layups.

In a flash, Alemany’s lead is cut to three points and the Indians are visibly shaken.

Except for Rigley.

The 5-foot-10 forward inbounds the ball and immediately demands it back. She will bring the ball up the floor. Kindle is all over her, itching for a steal. Rigley shields her away, fakes her once, twice, three times, daring Kindle.

After about 15 seconds, Kindle finally fouls her, and Rigley makes both free throws.

Thirty seconds later, Rigley burns Kindle with a cross-over dribble at midcourt, another fake in the lane and makes a tough layup with her left hand.

Alemany leads by seven and hangs on for the victory.

That’s the bottom line with Rigley, whose determination and refusal to lose are at least as valuable as her pinpoint passing and clutch free-throw shooting.

“She is not afraid to compete, and the kids are very confident in her,” Coach Melissa Hearlihy said. “They’re always looking to give her the ball.”

Rigley, a junior who often ran the offense, was selected to the all-state third team.

Her versatility was evident in her statistics. She averaged 14.8 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals a game.

She also made 86.7% of her free throws. Her clutch shooting at the line was an anchor the team could cling to late in games.

“I think it’s been my best year at Alemany,” she said.

It certainly was an unforgettable season. Her family’s home was red-tagged after the Jan. 17 earthquake--repairs have not yet begun--and Rigley was shaken by the closure of her school.

She was also deeply upset with the Indians’ 46-41 loss to Woodbridge in the state semifinal, one game shy of the team’s goal of the state championship.

“We had set our sights on state, and nothing else seemed as important,” she said. “(Winning the section championship) was a big accomplishment, but I don’t think we even realized what happened.

“But now when I think about it, I’m totally happy.”

Girls’ Basketball Team

Anna Celaya / G

Junior / North Hollywood

The Huskies’ steadiest player, the 5-foot-4 Celaya averaged 20.8 points and 5.3 assists, both tops in the Mid-Valley League. She was the league co-most valuable player for the second consecutive season, sharing the honor with teammate Darvena Merritt.

Carly Funicello / C

Sophomore / Alemany

Funicello has remarkable agility for a 6-3 post player. She led the Indians with a 16-point average, grabbed nine rebounds a game and was named the state’s sophomore player of the year. Still learning the game, she possesses enviable potential.

Sarah Hagman / G

Senior / Crescenta Valley

Hagman set Southern Section records with 13 three-point baskets in a game and 121 for the season. She also was the top girls’ scorer in the area with 25.4 points a game. She led the Falcons to the Pacific League title and will play for Cal State Northridge.

Lindy James / F

Sophomore / Village Christian

James, a returning All-Valley selection, led the Crusaders to the Southern Section Division IV-A final. She was the team leader in scoring and rebounding, averaging 17 points and 9.5 rebounds. She scored a career-high 33 points in the section title game.

Jaclyn Johnson / C

Freshman / Quartz Hill

Johnson is a prodigious talent--and didn’t turn 15 until last month. She was the best player for the Golden League champion Rebels (19-5), who advanced to the Southern Section Division I-A quarterfinals. The 6-footer averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Kelly McKay / G

Junior / Alemany

McKay’s quiet, controlled demeanor proved that actions speak louder than words. The 5-8 shooting guard was Alemany’s best defender and smoothest player. McKay, who was named to the all-state junior team, averaged 13.8 points and four steals.

Samantha Rigley / F

Junior / Alemany

The player of the year led the Indians (30-1) to the Southern Section Division II-A championship. The versatile 5-10 Rigley averaged 14.8 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. She was selected to the all-state third team.

Nadra Manley / F

Junior / Sylmar

Manley led the Spartans to their best season in school history as Sylmar (18-3) advanced to the City Section 3-A Division quarterfinals. Manley was named the East Valley League’s most valuable player and averaged a team-high 18 points.

Brandee Sayles / F

Senior / Antelope Valley

Sayles stood out on a poor team and was named the Golden League’s most valuable player. The 5-9 swing player averaged 22 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists. She possesses an excellent mid-range jump shot and is equally adept driving to the basket.

Christina Ticsay / G

Senior / Bell-Jeff

Ticsay, hampered her sophomore and junior seasons by a skin disorder that caused her body hair to fall out, enjoyed a memorable senior season. Her disorder was controlled by medication, and she averaged a team-high 19.5 points and six assists.

Times’ All-Star Basketball Rosters

All-Valley Girls

FIRST TEAM

P Player School Yr G Anna Celaya N.Hollywood Jr. C Carly Funicello Alemany So. G Sarah Hagman Crescenta Vly. Sr. F Lindy James Vllg. Christian So. C Jackie Johnson Quartz Hill Fr. F Nadra Manley Sylmar Jr. G Kelly McKay Alemany Jr. F Samantha Rigley Alemany Jr. F Brandee Sayles Antelope Valley Sr. G Christina Ticsay Bell-Jeff Sr.

Coach of the Year: Melissa Hearlihy, Alemany

SECOND TEAM

P Player School Yr G Jeanne Beauchamp Vllg. Christian Sr. G La Cresha Clark Hart Jr. G Maggie Dixon Notre Dame Jr. F Cathy Flores Bell-Jeff Sr. F Dimara Haymond Monroe Sr. F Darvena Merritt N.Hollywood Sr. F Tinika McThomas El Camino Real Sr. F Zevette Mitchell Alemany Sr. F Jamie Vahoviak Burroughs Jr. C Rachel Martinez Taft Jr.

All-Ventura Girls

FIRST TEAM

P Player School Yr G Ember Brown Ventura Jr. G Eboni Conley Buena So. F Tawnee Cooper Royal So. C Michelle Giordano Buena Sr. G Shawanda Hotchkiss Channel Islands Sr. F Rachel McSorley Nordhoff Sr. C Summer Peterson Rio Mesa Sr. F Shanon Sincock Westlake Sr. C Dolores Tuimoloau Channel Islands Sr. G Julie Wastell Newbury Park Jr.

Coach of the Year: Nori Parvin, Newbury Park

SECOND TEAM

P Player School Yr G Alissa Corey Thousand Oaks Sr. G Alisa Doran St. Bonaventure So. F Sara Griffin Simi Valley Sr. F Karli Jungwirth Camarillo Sr. F Brianna Kanongata’a Rio Mesa Jr. F Melissa Krolik Calabasas Jr. F Kara McKeown Newbury Park Jr. G Kori Sebek Buena So. F Jann Thorpe Newbury Park Jr. G Gretchen Wachter Nordhoff Sr.