GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Sonora Honors Ann Meyers Drysdale

Sonora graduate Ann Meyers Drysdale is no stranger to firsts. She was the first high school player to make the U.S. national basketball team in 1974 and the first woman to receive a full scholarship to UCLA.

Drysdale, who graduated in 1974, was the only woman to sign an NBA contract (with the Indiana Pacers in 1979) and became the only woman elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Tuesday night in a halftime ceremony during Sonora’s 59-25 loss to La Habra, Drysdale was honored as the first Raider athlete to have her jersey number (15) retired.

“I’m just so overwhelmed,” Drysdale said. “To be able to share this with my family and friends and teachers who I haven’t seen in such a long time really means a lot to me.

“I feel fortunate to have been brought up a part of this community.”

Drysdale said she was enjoying the game despite the Highlanders’ 34-12 halftime lead because both teams were playing hard.

The Raiders (5-14, 3-4) were unable to catch up.

“Our passing and defense allowed us to power the ball inside,” La Habra Coach John Koehler said.

Brooke Koehler finished with 13 points for the Highlanders (14-6, 6-1). Teammates Jo Berchtold and Amy Lien had 12 points.

Sonora’s Aiyana Nash, Orange County’s leading scorer, provided most of the Raiders’ scoring with 17 points.