The Piedmont High School girls basketball team had some big shoes to fill as all-everything guard Natalia Martinez has graduated and is now at San Diego State. Last year’s team came to rely on Martinez, who scored 52 points in one game, 40 on seven occasions and 30 in 16 games.
Enter an outstanding freshman class with three joining the starting lineup. Jenelle Solis takes over at point guard. She’s 5-foot-6 and a dynamic player, according to Highlanders coach Bryan Gardere.
“She definitely can score,” Gardere said. “Her ball-handling skills are some of the best. She’s got some crazy handles. Little firecracker, big time.”
Another freshman starter is 6-1 Andrea Martin. “She’s big,” Gardere said. “She has to guard the center but has the ball skills of a guard. Good athlete, can contest the rim. Definitely a scorer and rebounder.” He added that Martin looks like a junior or a senior out on the court.
The third freshman is Savannah Dennig, a 5-7 swing. Gardere said she grabbed 13, 12 and eight rebounds in a season-opening event in Reno. “She doesn’t score a lot but does the dirty work,” he said. “She wears the knee pads. Willing to get on the floor. Hustles loose ball rebounds.”
Shakila Zuberi is a returning senior. She’s 5-6 and also a guard. “She is coming in as one of the leaders for sure,” Gardere said. “More aggressive, more vocal. I think being a senior is a natural leader.”
The other starter is 5-6 junior Cleo Asfar. “Really aggressive,” Gardere said. “Likes to drive but also can shoot a 3. She had two 3s in two of the (Reno) games. Good finisher.”
Two transfers from Moreau Catholic should be available at the end of December. Brianna Webb is a 5-11 senior who came over to Piedmont in the spring. “Athletic good defender, shoots the 3, aggressive good rebounder,” Gardere said.
The other is 5-9 sophomore Taylor White who was on the Mariners varsity roster as a freshman. Gardere said she has “a nose for the ball.”
Another freshman is 5-4 guard Jaden Jones, who will swing back-and-forth between the varsity and junior varsity.
As has been the case in recent seasons, depth is an issue for Piedmont. The team played five players in Reno awaiting the two new players. Solis earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Tip-Off Classic while Zuberi made the all-tournament team.
In the opening game on Dec. 5, Piedmont beat Fernley (Nev.), 46-34. Solis had 18 points, six assists, three steals and was four of six on 3-pointers. Martin had 10 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals. Dennig had 12 rebounds and five points while Zuberi had six points and six rebounds. Solis scored 15 of her points in the first half.
On Dec. 6, the Highlanders beat Spanish Springs-Sparks (Nev.), 57-43. Martin led the way with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Solis had 17 points, six assists and five steals. She again made four of six from 3-point range. Asfar had 12 points and six rebounds while Dennig had six points and 10 rebounds.
On Dec. 7, Piedmont overwhelmed Galena-Sparks (Nev.), 64-18. Martin had 28 points and 10 rebounds while Asfar had 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. Solis had 14 rebounds, eight assists, five rebounds and five steals. Dennig had eight rebounds, five points and five steals.
Gardere is optimistic that his team can compete with anybody. “I think we might be better than OK now that I’ve seen them play,” he said. “Assuming they keep progressing in this direction I think well be OK. We want to keep games close and compete.”
He added that he thought the team would go 2-1 in Reno.
Next up is the Paris Twins Classic starting Dec. 12 in Binks Gymnasium. A test will come just before the end of the year at the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic in San Marcos. Bishop O’Dowd should present a challenge as always in West Alameda County Conference play. Alameda should be strong this season. San Leandro and Castro Valley are looking to challenge for the top.