Weaver Is Ready to Put Finishing Touches on Double Dip

Last year, Woodbridge’s Lisa Weaver joked about the possibility of winning Southern Section basketball and softball championships as a senior. She had previously won one in each sport and didn’t think it could happen in one school year.

“Last year, I talked about it,” Weaver said. “I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if we won in both sports next year?’ And now we’re almost there.”

Weaver, 5 feet 11, has been a member of the Warriors’ past two section champion basketball teams. She plays for her second section softball title tonight against Lakewood at Mayfair Park in the Division II championship game.

“It gets better every time,” Weaver said. “I didn’t appreciate the softball title as a freshman, but now I realize how special it is. This is my very last game in high school. It’s the end. And I want this one.”

Weaver’s winning ways have rubbed off on her teammates. After helping the basketball team win consecutive section titles, Weaver and the Warriors headed to Oakland, where they won the State Division II title. She returned home on a Sunday and joined the softball team the next day. The team has been on a roll since.

“She picked up kids who were not doing well,” Coach Alan Dugard said. “She came out thinking, ‘I’m going to help this team one way or the other.’ That attitude rubbed off on everyone else.”

In her freshman year, she was persuaded to try out for basketball by classmate Angela Burgess. Although she had never played organized ball, Weaver was playing with the varsity by the end of her first season.

After a loss to Cerritos Gahr in the semifinals, she moved on to the varsity softball team. The Warriors won their 10th league title in a row and Weaver’s first section title.

“As a sport I really love basketball,” Weaver said. “But more than anything, I love to hit. I just hate waiting to hit . . . it’s boring.”

Weaver, now a designated hitter, got the urge to play softball in fourth grade, but her father insisted “girls don’t hit.” Weaver quickly changed his mind, after drilling him in the head with a line drive.

“After that he signed me up for Bobby Sox,” Weaver said. “I’ve been playing in different leagues ever since.”

Considering the injuries she has had to work through, Weaver’s accomplishments are impressive.

Her struggles began in her sophomore year, when she blew out a knee and had to have surgery. She recovered in three months and returned to the court, where the Warriors again lost to Gahr, this time in the quarterfinals.

The softball team was ranked No. 1 in Orange County throughout her sophomore season, but lost, 1-0, to San Dimas in the quarterfinals.

In her junior year, Weaver injured her other knee right before the team’s trip to the State basketball final in Oakland. Weaver, the first reserve off the bench, had her knee wrapped and she played in the game. The Warriors, however, were beaten by Sacramento El Camino in a 33-point blow out.

“I played in a lot of pain,” Weaver said. “But I had to play. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I’m just happy we got to go back and get them this year.”

Weaver returned home after the loss to face another knee surgery, which forced her to miss her junior softball season.

But now all has been redeemed in her eyes. The basketball team returned to Oakland in March and beat El Camino, 55-40, for the State championship.

The softball team is on the brink of winning its second title in four years. Weaver finished the regular season batting .373. She is hitting .313 in the playoffs.