SANTA ROSA — When Santa Rosa’s Mariah Contreras and her senior bunch entered high school, all that was on their minds was to make a difference.
Fast-forward a few years and the group has a volleyball, softball and, most recently, a basketball district championship under its belt.
“Achieving one of our goals feels good because we haven’t won a basketball district title in 11 years,” said Contreras. “Knowing that we won it in volleyball, softball and now basketball feels good.
“Ever since middle school we said that we wanted to make a difference in high school and we did. In the beginning of this season we were a little shaky and we weren’t really producing, but toward the end of the season we have come together and we know how to work with each other now.”
While the team ended the regular season with an overall record of 17-15 and 7-1 in District 32-3A, the Lady Warriors enter the playoffs on a 7-1 run and some serious momentum.
“I think the reason these girls have been so successful has been because of the hard work they have put in,” said Santa Rosa head coach Steven Mendoza. “The work ethic is there and while the chemistry wasn’t there early on after the Bishop tournament, we reeled off 10 or 11 wins in a row.
“They were really putting in that work and trying to get better. But it’s a building process, getting them as freshman to now being very much improved and they know what my expectations are. Yes we accomplished a couple of our goals but we also want to make a deep run like two, three or maybe even four rounds but we really have to work our tails off.”
Now comes the bi-district round of the playoff and as Coach Mendoza said, the team is still hungry for more success.
The Lady Warriors start their journey through the postseason with a Class 3A bi-district game against Banquete on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Falfurrias High School.
IF YOU GO
Santa Rosa vs. Banquete
-Time: 8 p.m.
-When: Tuesday, Feb. 13
-Where: Falfurrias High School, 100 Jersey Drive
