Junior Yasmin Gupta dribbles past Highland players as senior Alexa Mathisen follows. Even though the Cavs lost their match to Highlands, 31-49, Gupta managed to score 11 points.
Juniors Cole Johnson and Yasmin Gupta received Honorable Mentions on the Sacramento Bee’s 2016-17 All-Metro girls and boys basketball teams on April 13.
Gupta led the girls’ basketball team to a playoff berth on 22 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and five steals per game.
However, the Cavs were defeated, 59-69, by Forest Lake in the first round of playoffs.
Even though this is Gupta’s first time receiving the honor, she didn’t make much of it.
“It’s not an accomplishment,” Gupta said. “There are so many girls on the list, and they all play in higher divisions, which makes it harder for them.”
In the Homecoming match-up against Faith Christian, junior Cole Johnson makes a lay-up. The Cavs defeated the Lions, 50-45, with 14 points from Johnson.
But Gupta’s phenomenal season was recognized by one of her teammates, junior Annya Dahmani.
“We wouldn’t have gotten where we got without her,” Dahmani said. “She was a good captain and an especially good leader on the court.”
Johnson, on the other hand, was very pleased with the recognition.
“It shows that hard works pays off,” he said.
Head coach David Ancrum said he believes Johnson deserved the award because of his scoring, defense and leadership.
Johnson averaged 20 points per game, 13 rebounds per game and four assists per game in his third year playing on Country Day’s varsity team.
And he propelled the boys’ team to the second seed in the playoffs.
But they were also eliminated in the first round, losing to the Big Valley Christian Lions, 63-66.
Although this isn’t the first time players have been recognized by the Bee, athletic director Matt Vargo is still proud of the accolades.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” Vargo said. “It’s great that both (the girls’ and boys’ basketball) programs were honored.”
—By Adam Dean
