Leaving a Legacy

Omelogo means “gift giver” in Igbo, a Nigerian dialect.

So, it was little surprise that Omelogo Udeze delivered in a big way during her career at Harvard-Westlake High.

The 6-foot-2 senior forward led the Wolverines to three consecutive Mission League championships and an appearance last week in the state Division III girls’ basketball final.

Udeze, The Times’ Valley player of the year, leaves the school as its career scoring and rebounding leader.

“She has definitely left quite a legacy,” Coach Brian Taylor said.

Before Udeze arrived at Harvard-Westlake, the Wolverines had never advanced to the playoffs.

With her in the post, Harvard-Westlake qualified for the playoffs four consecutive seasons, and played for Southern Section III-A titles in 1997-98 and this season.

As a junior, Udeze averaged 13.6 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Wolverines to their only section championship.

This season, she improved those numbers to 21.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots, leading the Wolverines to a 29-6 record and runner-up finishes in the section and state playoffs.

“I don’t know how it happened,” she said of her improvement. “I just went out there with the same mentality and happened to make more baskets than I had in the past.”

In one memorable state playoff victory, Udeze made 16 of 20 shots from the field and finished with 33 points against Wasco.

Udeze, who figures to be chosen to the All-Southern Section team for the third time, graduates with 1,632 career points and 1,158 rebounds. She was the first Harvard-Westlake player to surpass the 1,000-rebound mark.

“Those are going to be hard records to break,” Taylor said. “It’s a rare person who can come in as a freshman and contribute so strongly in both categories.”

Udeze is taking her time deciding on a college.

Her parents have suggested she attend an Ivy League school, an idea Udeze has yet to warm to.

“I’m a hot-weather person,” she said. “The East Coast is just too cold for me.”

Udeze has received considerable interest from West Coast schools, as well.

Earlier this week, she visited Fresno State on a recruiting trip, and she expects to visit a few more schools before making a decision.

For one college, her commitment will be the sweetest of gifts.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

ALL-VALLEY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / Second Team

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Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. G/F L’Tanya Robnett Harvard-Westlake Jr. 6-0 G Mania Houspian Glendale Sr. 5-7 G Sierra Hauser-Price Notre Dame So. 5-8 G Megan Wiser Louisville So. 5-9 F Karina Siam Alemany So. 5-11 G Christina Aguinaga El Camino Real So. 5-4 G Tashean Thomas North Hollywood Sr. 5-4 G/F Jennie Lee Greslie Village Christian Sr. 5-10 G Kristie Umemoto Crescenta Valley Jr. 5-6 G Alexis Weatherspoon Grant So. 5-8

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ALL-VENTURA COUNTY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / First Team

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Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. G Damaris Hinojosa Moorpark Sr. 5-11 G Jaline Bradley Channel Islands Sr. 5-9 G Alex Gientke Ventura Jr. 5-9 F Kelly Greathouse Buena So. 6-2 G Stacey Howard St. Bonaventure Sr. 5-10 G Kelly Murray Buena Sr. 5-7 F Mari Myllykoski Royal Sr. 5-10 C Christen Roper Nordhoff Sr. 6-5 G Jamie Sturdivant Simi Valley Sr. 5-7 G Chenne Tuimoloau Channel Islands Jr. 5-10

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Second Team

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Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. C Ashley Biggins Santa Clara So. 6-3 G Lisa Donahue Camarillo Sr. 5-7 C Kristine Gleisberg Ventura Jr. 6-1 C Courtney LaVere Buena Fr. 6-2 F Memory Rhone Oxnard Jr. 5-11 G Tina Samaniego Oxnard Sr. 5-7 F Monique Taylor Channel Islands Jr. 5-9 G Tawny Thorp Westlake So. 5-8 G Annmarie Turpin Simi Valley Sr. 5-9 G Tawni Yamauchi Newbury Park Sr. 5-5

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