Past Season Highlights & Results

Player Profile: Hailey Vines

By Ryan Painter

January 24th, 2022

This week, I interviewed senior basketball player and track star Hailey Vines.  Hailey is a 4 year varsity basketball player and one of the leaders of the team.  We talked about her time on the basketball team, some of her fondest memories, and her hopes for the season. 

Q: How did you get into your sport?  

A: When I was in elementary school, I played basketball on the playground all the time. My mom signed me up for a rec league in Hercules and I’ve been playing ever since.

Q: What do you like best about basketball at Saint Mary’s?

A: At Saint Mary’s, I really like the chemistry on the team. For all of my four years now, there has been a really tight bond between the players and coaches and that has made it easier to play and has been a big reason we’ve won so many games.  Our closeness also makes losing a little easier. 

Q: What has been the highlight of your Saint Mary’s basketball career thus far?

A: Winning NCS and qualifying for the state championship has definitely been my highlight. Even though we didn’t get to play the state championship game (the Covid pandemic cancelled the game), it was still a great experience.

Q: Do you have a favorite story you could share about one of the coaches or your teammates?

A: One of my favorite moments was when we were playing a team in Sacramento and we were up by 10 points with 2 minutes left. They came back and got up by one and we had 5 seconds to score. Syd passed the ball to Kayla Roseman, and she scored the layup that won the game. She ran down the court, pounding on her chest and it was super fun.

Q: Do you have a pre-game meal or ritual?

A: I don’t really have any meal, but I do form shooting before every game.

Q: What advice would you give to a new player/teammate?

A: Try to soak up as much knowledge as you can about the game. Skill is one thing, but understanding the game and how the team works will make you a much better player. You actually don’t know as much as you think you do, but if you’re willing you can learn a lot from your coaches and teammates.

Q: Any hopes/goals that you have for yourself and for your team this season?

A: For this season, I hope we do well in the playoffs. We have a young team this year, but I think we’re still really good and have the potential to do great in the playoffs.

Player Profile: Anela Thomas

By Noah Zirkle

Today I spoke with senior captain of the Girl’s Varsity Basketball team: Anela Thomas. Anela has been hooping her whole life and is one of the best players in the East Bay.  As I found in our conversation, her commitment to herself, her family, and her teammates is why she’s been so successful as a hooper and as an athlete. Anela talked about basketball, Saint Mary’s and her plans for the future in the interview below.

Q: When did you fall in love with basketball?

A: I started playing basketball in first grade. By the time I was in the 2^nd grade, I had fallen in love it.  2nd grade is also when I first started playing competitively. Since then, my love for the game has continued to grow.

Q: As athletes, we all rely on people around us for help and support.  Who have been your biggest supporters?  

A: Definitely my parents. My dad played basketball in high school and could have played in college, but instead chose to play football.  His experience and knowledge of the game and of the world of sports has really impacted me.  My mom was the one who supported me in a different way.  She found teams to play on, was always good at keeping me relaxed and was always someone who supported me no matter what. Also, my grandfather was a big time athlete with many accomplishments, including playing in and winning a Super Bowl championship. His accomplishments were something that has always challenged me as an athlete

Q: What’s been your favorite Panther hoops moment?

A: My sophomore year was not only my favorite hoop moment, but it was also our best season. We went 27-7, won NCS, and made it all the way to the State Championship. That team was like another family to me and definitely a team I will love forever and never forget. All the laughing, crying, conditioning, and hard work is missed but will never be forgotten.  

Q: Can you share some of the goals you have for yourself this season?

A: My goals for the season are to play with more confidence, be more of a leader on and off the court, to have fun and to win of course. I want to grow as an athlete and as a person and I want our team to grow together.  We have a lot of new faces on our team and I hope that my the end of my senior year we will have the opportunity to enjoy and share the same types of memories that our state championship team had.  

Q: Are you planning on playing basketball after high school?

A: I don’t know yet. I’m hoping to play in college but as of right now I don’t know where. But, I plan to be ready for whatever the future holds.