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Sonora girls basketball coach Melissa Barajas views mentorship as an important extension of her duties.

“As a coach,” she said, “I’m driven to help empower these girls to reach their basketball goals and succeed beyond the court.”

Barajas continues to rack up the victories at the same time.

On Dec. 14, she earned her 400th career coaching victory in a 62-39 triumph against Peninsula at the Sunny Hills Showcase.

All of Barajas’ victories are at Sonora. In her 23rd season, she took the coaching reins for the 2002-3 season and has built a consistent winner.

The Raiders are off to an 8-2 start this winter and ranked No. 12 in Orange County. They had won three straight Freeway League titles until Buena Park halted their run last season.

Barajas’ tenure includes a runner-up finish in CIF-SS Division 3-AA in 2016. She earned O.C. coach of the year after the season.

“I am extremely grateful for the support I receive at Sonora,” she said. “The 400 wins is a testament to the players that we have had who trust the process and put in the work.”

Barajas’ support system includes her husband Danny, who serves as one of her assistant coaches. Her daughter Stella, a sophomore, plays basketball for the Raiders and soccer with Mexico’s under-17 national team. Her son Christian, 27, is a former basketball player at Sonora.

Barajas and the Raiders will be in the spotlight on Saturday when they play host to No. 9 El Dorado at 6 p.m. as part of the Challenge for CHOC Showcase.

But as the victories continue to mount, Barajas focuses on supporting her players on and off the court.

“If I get to 500 (wins) doing that,” she said, “amazing.”

MATER DEI REACHES SEMIFINALS IN ARIZONA

Kaeli Wynn and Iowa signee Addison Deal each scored 20 points as Mater Dei rallied past Bishop McNamara of Maryland 53-49 in the quarterfinals of the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona on Thursday.

Bishop McNamara (4-1) entered the tournament ranked No. 7 in the nation by MaxPreps while the Monarchs (11-1) were No. 11.

Mater Dei outscored Bishop McNamara 14-5 in the fourth quarter.

On Friday, the Monarchs face Northern California power and No. 2 Archbishop Mitty in the semifinals of the Vincent Cannizzaro Division at 5 p.m. PST.

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