Big-Time Challenge Awaits Indian Freshman in Middle
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SACRAMENTO — Big game? Big deal.
That’s how Alemany High forward/center Karina Siam is approaching the Division III state girls’ basketball championship game today at 1:15 p.m. against San Francisco Sacred Heart Cathedral at Arco Arena.
“It’s in a big arena, but it’s just another game,” she said. “After the game, though, it won’t be just another celebration.”
Siam’s confidence and poise belie the fact she is a 15-year-old freshman.
“She is a very confident kid,” Coach Melissa Hearlihy said. “And she is a vocal and emotional leader. That’s something we needed.”
Siam tied a Southern Regional record by making nine free throws (in 10 attempts) in a 50-45 victory over Harvard-Westlake in the final. Siam finished with a game-high 19 points to help send Alemany (27-6) to the state final for the first time.
“It is phenomenal how comfortable she is at the free-throw line,” Hearlihy said of Siam, who as an eighth-grader last summer made 16 of 16 foul shots to win a competition against high school players at a UCLA camp.
“That’s always been my claim to fame,” Siam said.
A few free throws today would be nice, but Siam’s primary contribution could come on defense, where she will be matched against Sacred Heart Cathedral center Sarah Richen, the San Francisco area player of the year who has accepted a scholarship to Pepperdine.
“That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about all week,” said the 5-foot-10 Siam, who gives up four inches to Richen. “I’m ready. I figure I’ve been playing against the Harvard-Westlake girls all season [in Mission League play]. I’m not going to treat [Richen] any differently.”
Siam hasn’t always been so self-assured.
Earlier in the season, she was more than willing to yield the spotlight to Kelli Kobayashi and Kate Beckler, Alemany’s All-Southern Section guards.
“But I’ve gained a lot of confidence through the year,” Siam said. “Before, I would get the ball and immediately look to kick it back out to Kelli and Kate.”
Kobayashi, the Indian point guard, often handcuffed an unsure Siam with entry passes. No longer.
“I don’t worry about that anymore,” Kobayashi said. “Karina has improved a lot and done a great job, especially for a freshman. She’s stepped up whenever we’ve needed her and she’s a big reason why we’re where we are right now.”
Siam arrived at Alemany with a lot of potential, much of it unrealized.
Hearlihy, a former college forward, worked daily with Siam on post moves.
“I owe a lot to her,” said Siam, who is averaging 10.4 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds. “She was the one out there with me at 6 a.m., working on my game. It made a difference.”
A big difference.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Alemany Basketball: STATE FINALS
* WHO: Alemany (27-6) vs. San Francisco Sacred Heart Cathedral (21-10)
* WHAT: Division III championship game of the state basketball tournament.
* WHEN: Today, 1:15 p.m.
* WHERE: Arco Arena in Sacramento.
ALEMANY
Roster
*--*
No. Player, Yr. Pos. 3 Nyasha Bralock, Fr. F 10 Debbie Borra, Jr. G 11 Nicole Klosterman, Jr. F 12 Kelli Kobayashi, Sr. G 14 Kate Beckler, So. G 15 Amy Lowe, So. G 20 Alma Sandoval, So. G 23 Julie Mullins, So. G 33 Monica Brown, Sr. C 34 Karina Siam, Fr. F-C 42 Danielle Messiha, Jr. C 54 Anna Karas, Jr. C-F
*--*
Coach: Melissa Hearlihy
Season Review
76 Bell-Jeff 29
68 Santa Clara 40
59 Newbury Park 43
66 Ventura 69
60 Hart 64
71 Camarillo 29
56 Grant 50
70 St. Lucy’s 76 (2OT)
64 Simi Valley 60
79 St. Monica 51
60 Crossroads 52
77 Dorsey 71
63 Royal 65
92 Notre Dame 52
75 Chaminade 35
59 Artesia 41
45 Harvard-Westlake 59
53 Flint. Scrd Hrt 34
55 Ayala 61
61 Louisville 40
81 Notre Dame 55
79 Bishop Montgomery 48
84 Chaminade 29
73 Harvard-Westlake 53
84 Flint. Scrd Hrt 36
58 Louisville 36
Southern Section Playoffs
92 South Hills 27
81 Barstow 65
69 Pomona 58
62 La Puente 39
Southern Regional Playoffs
87 Bakersfield Shafter 59
70 Wasco 51
50 Harvard-Westlake 45
Roster
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL
*--*
No. Player, Yr. Pos. 5 Crissy DeLuzio, Jr. G 11 Toni Russell, Fr. G 12 Kelly Montague, Fr. F 15 Nicole Perkins, Fr. G 25 Jessica Guitran, Fr. F 31 Megan Kelly, Jr. F 32 Danielle Mulhair, Jr. C 33 Theresa Bisio, Sr. C 34 Kandace Hom, Fr. F 35 Sarah Richen, Sr. C-F 40 Jennifer Romanini, Fr. F
*--*
Cach: Brian Harrigan
Season Review
67 SF Washington 51
57 SF Lowell 43
69 Woodside 45
64 College Park 34
56 Amador Valley 64
57 Vanden 26
82 Justin Siena 43
63 Scott (Kentucky) 35
59 St. Dominic (NY) 47
54 Sapulpa (Okla.) 69
70 Menlo 48
38 Atherton Sacred Hrt 43
61 SF Mercy 25
60 Int. Studies Academy 38
56 Belmont Notre Dame 63
35 St. Ignatius 41
49 Menlo 52
60 St. Francis 61
41 Atherton Sacred Hrt 43
54 SF Mercy 22
54 Casa Robles 38
46 St. Ignatius 39
62 Belmont Notre Dame 53
49 St. Ignatius 51
Central Coast Section Playoffs
60 Saratoga 36
64 Santa Cruz 50
55 Monterey 29
38 St. Ignatius 55
Northern Regional Playoffs
46 Bear River 44
51 Northgate 34
56 Lafayette Acalanes 50
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