CHATSWORTH — An assembly of familiar faces converged inside Sierra Canyon’s gym on Wednesday for boys and girls basketball’s media day.
Coaches and players rotated around the gym, stopping at several different photo stations spread across the hardwood. Players laughed as they posed for pictures, using everything from basketballs to lights as props.
Bryce Cofield and Bryce James, two returning players for the boys team, donned serious faces as they stood side by side holding blue tube lights as if they were about to carry out a daring mission.
The Bryces of Sierra Canyon – Bryce James and Bryce Cofield pic.twitter.com/l77KRDIWaw
— Dan Lovi (@LoviSports) October 17, 2024
Jerzy Robinson, returning star for the girls team and one of the top-ranked prospects in the country, was all business holding a red tube light like a lightsaber as if she were a Jedi preparing to battle the Empire.
But there was also a slew of new faces amid the crowd blending into an unfamiliar environment. Student-athletes who transferred and freshmen were getting a feel for Sierra Canyon, a noteworthy power program in Southern California.
One of those players, Gavin Hightower, a point guard who transferred from Windward, was getting into the fun in his own unique way.
Gavin Hightower, Sierra Canyon High Basketball player. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The senior was walking around the gym with a camcorder, filming the event and interviewing his teammates, coaches and other students.
Hightower said the transition to Sierra Canyon has been seamless because his teammates and the coaching staff have created a family atmosphere.
“My teammates and my coaches have all been super welcoming and just trying to get me acquainted with the system and becoming a part of their culture,” Hightower said. “We’re a family, we’re together in this. We go to war every day in practice because when we have those hard games, we’ve got to fall back on what we’re doing in practice. And that family and that culture is what’s going to get us those wins.”
Chris Nwuli, who transferred from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas and just announced his commitment to Rutgers over the weekend, was a little more reserved and displayed a more laid-back attitude during media day.
But the athletic 6-foot-7 forward echoed what his teammates said – the culture Sierra Canyon has fostered over the years is one of inclusiveness and winning.
“The coaches look out for us, the team looks out for us. We’re all together, we stay together and help each other out,” Nwuli said. “It’s a great vibe here and I think we’re going to have a really good season this year.”
The girls team returns Robinson and impact players Ashley Redd and Emilia Krstevski, but will also turn to Leia Edwards.
Leia Edwards, Sierra Canyon High Basketball player. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
While not new to Sierra Canyon, Edwards has been with the program for four years, she missed last season due to an ACL injury.
So it will feel almost like a fresh start for Edwards, who has yet to play in a game with some of her teammates.
“It’s definitely been challenging,” Edwards said. “Just getting to trust yourself again has been really difficult. Just knowing what your body can and can’t do and understanding those limitations. But just getting back on the court, I haven’t played with most of these girls, I’m loving it so far. I trust in them, I rely on them.”
Junior Payton Montgomery, a transfer from Chaminade, will also look to be a core member of the team.
In 18 games last season as a sophomore, Montgomery led Chaminade in scoring and rebounding, averaging 16 points and 8.4 rebounds a game.
Just like the newcomers on the boys team, Montgomery said the bond she’s formed with her new teammates was easy and harmonious.
“I’m new here and the environment’s already really great. We’re having a lot of fun bonding together as a team,” Montgomery said alongside Krstevski after the two had some photos taken together.
“This program is all about family, so obviously on and off the court I just try to grow a relationship with everyone and try to be a good role model for everyone since they are learning and helping everyone get on the same page,” Krstevski said.
Like Krstevski, returning boys player Jayden Alexander has made it a point to teach his new teammates how things are done at Sierra Canyon.
Head coach Andre Chevalier said it’s up to seniors like Alexander, Cofield and James to help the incoming players get acclimated to the system and what is expected out of them.
“We realize we have a lot of new people so I think it’s just more of the culture. We’ve got to show them the culture of Sierra Canyon, what it’s like to be a Trailblazer,” Alexander said. “I’ve been with coach Dre for four years, so I already know how it is. But it’s been pretty easy because we all want the same thing,”
Along with his players, Chevalier mingled and chatted with staff and parents at the event, flashing a smile that isn’t seen very often during an intense Mission League game. Alicia Komaki, the head coach of the girls team, did the same, sharing in the joy with her players and coaching staff.
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But when it came time for the team photo, like all good coaches do, Chevalier and Komaki directed their players and coaches to the right spot with a disciplined demeanor.
“I think these things are amazing because we push them so hard basketball-wise,” Chevalier said. “For us to be able to give them an event like this where they can hang out with friends, take pictures and make lifelong memories, I think it’s a wonderful thing.”
“I think it gives them the experience of the media and all that stuff, but it lets them have fun. Of course who doesn’t love taking good photos and looking and feeling good,” Komaki said. “But it’s also about preparing them for the next level. Some of them are going to be pros at one point and they’re going to have to get prepared for these types of days. It’s a mixture of fun and preparation.”