Piedmont High School’s girls basketball team is being led by the young this season. The Highlanders 72-25 win over Damonte Ranch-Reno (Nev.) on Dec. 12 on the first day of the Paris Twins Classic showed just how dynamic Piedmont’s three freshmen starters can be.
Jenelle Solis scored 23 points and Andrea Martin added 20. Meantime, Savannah Dennig grabbed 11 rebounds and anchored a tenacious defense that forced 20 turnovers. The fourth quarter was played with a running clock due to the mercy rule.
Solis and Martin played together in AAU ball on the West Coast Elite team. “Andrea’s a big guard,” Solis said. “She can finish, she can shoot, she can basically do everything. When I’m driving, I always see her cutting. I see where she is on the court and I know when she gets the ball she’s going to make it.”
Said Martin of Solis, “She’s a really good facilitator, she drops good dimes, she talks, she plays good defense, she has good handles and she looks for the open passes. I’ve been with her for about three years. We are a really good duo. She hits me on the layups, she knows how to pass really well. Dribbling she’s really effective. Defense, she’s quick, has her hands up.”
Andrea Martin leads a crop of outstanding freshmen 
Cleo Afsar (4) Jenelle Solis (22) and Shakila Zuberi (back) set up on defense. 
Jaden Jones defends as Leah Vidosic shoots 
Jenelle Solis (22) guards Kylee Moscove with Shakila Zuberi (30) in back 
Shakila Zuberi inbounds the ball
Both of them are impressed with their fellow freshman Dennig. “She’s a real beast on defense,” Martin said. “She dives on the floor, she boxes out rebounds. She’s a really good finisher down low.”
Added Solis, “Savannah’s like a dog. She does all the dirty work. She dives, she hustles, she gets boards. It’s crazy. Just having her on the court is like having another energy.”
Piedmont next plays Campolindo on Dec.13 at 7 p.m. Later this month, the Highlanders will head down to San Diego for the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic, which annually attracts top teams not just from California but other states too. By then, Piedmont hopes to have a deeper bench as Briana Webb and Taylor White, two transfers from Moreau Catholic, should be eligible.
The Highlanders dressed just six players against Damonte Ranch. With the short bench it was easier to fill up the boxscore against the Mustangs. Martin had nine rebounds and a couple of blocks. Solis had four assists. Junior Cleo Afsar scored 20 points.
Solis and Martin quickly gelled with Dennig. Players worked out in open gyms and official practice began in October.
“We all came in with a little bit of chemistry,” Dennig said. “Before the season, we were able to get together and talk together and figure out who does what well. We went into the season knowing our strengths. Now we’re focusing on improving our strengths and we’ll add new stuff later.“
“I think we all kind of clicked. We’re all very different. We all have one of everything, each person thrives with something different. That’s one of our biggest strengths, being unique players. I think it’s amazing that we can all work together and bring everything different to the team,” said Dennig.
The goals at Piedmont are always high — make it deep in the playoffs and compete for section and state championships. Having three freshmen starters doesn’t chance any of that. “Stay locked in, no goofing around, show them what we have to offer,” Martin said.