A WARRIORS CHANGING OF THE GUARD

By Robert Balajadia

Before the St. Paul Warriors take the floor Saturday to face the Academy Cougars, two members of the team will be soaking in the moments of their last IIAAG high school girls basketball game.

Senior guard Chloe Miranda and forward Haley Senne have been a four-year product of the St. Warriors system since joining the varsity ranks as freshmen. The two went from role players to the now leaders of the group, ready to play in their first ever championship game.

“We push each other to our limits every morning at 6 am practice. We work hard and make sure that none of us are slacking off,” said Miranda.

Senne was named the league MVP of 2016 and secured a spot on the 2017 All-Island 1st Team list. Miranda was a 1st Team member in 2016 and finished Honorable Mention in 2017.

Senne and Miranda have shared the court with big time players like Joy Penglinan and Kendra Young, but 2016 forced the pair to elevate their game. Even this season with a few key additions, the Warriors are still leaning towards the leadership of their most veteran players.

“It was tough to lead the team during our junior and senior years because we weren’t much more than role players as freshmen,” said Senne on taking center stage. “We managed to get every girl here on the same page, with the same mindset, so I’m really proud of what we have become and what we’ve accomplished so far.”

Warriors Chloe Miranda and Haley Senne will be taking the floor for one last time in IIAAG Girls Basketball. (GSPN photo)

New Additions

The two biggest additions over the off-season were in guard Isla Quinata from the Okkodo Bulldogs and center Niah Siguenza from the GW Geckos. Quinata was named 1st Team All-Island guard and Siguenza was named 2nd Team Center.

“They don’t feel ‘new’ to us because we gelled so well from the first practice on,” said Miranda.

“Having those new players takes a lot of pressure off of Chloe and I. We all have our specific jobs and, as long as we do them well, we’ll be successful,” said Senne

And in both Quinata and Siguenza being juniors, Miranda and Senne are hoping they can fulfil the leadership roles when it’s their turn.

All In

Saturday’s showdown with the Cougars will be the toughest challenge yet for the veteran Warriors and winning is weighing heavy on their mind.

“I want to end my senior year win a championship with the team I have today. We have to have the right mindset heading into Saturday,” said Miranda.

“We’ve been working all season for this. It would be a big dissapointment if we don’t win it, but as long as our girls give 100% and their hearts are in it, I’m going to be proud of my team either way,” stated Senne.