Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
BUENA PARK — Four freshmen and a sophomore take the court for the opening tip and soon display a blend of athleticism, strength and desire. Fifth-year coach DeAnthony Wiley roams one section of the sideline while arguably the best assistant coach in Orange County, Jeff Sink, takes the other.
Welcome to the rising girls basketball program at Buena Park, whose freshman class and coaching staff dominated preseason chatter in Orange County.
Buena Park continued to flash its potential Friday against rebuilding JSerra.
Freshman forward Bella Harmon scored a season-high 26 points and freshman guard Sydnie Lendsey-Vann added 15 as the No. 17 Coyotes improved to 8-0 with a 73-14 victory against the equally young No. 25 Lions.
Freshman Destiny McNabb added nine points off the bench for Buena Park, ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 4AA.
The Coyotes, who haven’t reached the postseason in several years, jumped out to a 23-0 lead in the first quarter. They led 49-8 at halftime, invoking a running clock in the second half against JSerra (0-1), which made its debut under first-year coach Chyanne Butler.
“I don’t know where we stack up (but) we’re trying to get in the Top 10 (in Orange County),” Wiley said. “We push the ball. We try to be aggressive. We need more work under the basket as far as boxing out, but we’re getting better.”
“The Freeway League is tough,” Wiley added. “I just want to get out of the Freeway League and get to the playoffs.”
Buena Park’s freshman class includes Wiley’s daughter Ava, a point guard who made a 3-pointer, and powerful center Alana White, who scored 34 points in a win against Woodbridge on Nov. 22.
Ava Wiley, White and Harmon excelled as eighth-graders at Orangewood Academy.
The trio has mixed well with the athletic Lendsey-Vann, sophomore transfer guard Melia Hinojos and senior reserve guard Chantyl Perry.
“We use our heart,” Harmon said of the Coyotes’ strength. “We’re all learning together.”
That’s where Sink helps. Wiley counts Sink, who guided Brea Olinda to 10 CIF-SS titles and five state titles, as a mentor.
“He’s just giving back,” Wiley said of Sink, in his fourth season at Buena Park. “He’s a good friend and he’s helping us put this thing on the map.”
Later this month, Buena Park will continue its growth at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona.
Related Articles
Sonora girls basketball stays unbeaten with win over shorthanded Woodbridge
Tesoro basketball slips past Los Alamitos at the end of Beach Bash semifinal
Boys basketball tournament schedules for Friday, Dec. 9
Collin Haugh’s 41-point effort leads Dana Hills basketball past San Juan Hills
Orange Lutheran girls basketball falls to powerhouse Etiwanda in semifinals of Troy Classic
Butler, who led Pacifica Christian to a CIF-SS Division 4A title last season, is rebuilding the Lions’ program after the departure of Coach Geoffrey Clayton and some key players. Clayton now coaches Northern California power San Joaquin Memorial.
Senior guard Ryleigh Fitzsimmons paced JSerra with seven points, including a 3-pointer.
“I want to build up the program,” said Butler, who calmly spent a timeout and halftime instructing her players on the floor. “They’re trying. They’re not going out there and giving up.”