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SAN JUAN — PSJA High’s Kaylah Hernandez used to wear contacts during games. As a freshman, Hernandez constantly had her eyes poked, losing her contacts on multiple occasions. Things changed her sophomore year.
“I just said I’m not dealing with that anymore,” Hernandez said. “I just saw a pair of goggles one time when I went looking for glasses and I told my mom I wanted them. Now I use them for every sport.”
At first, the goggles led to some bullying, hearing names like “goggle girl” while also being on the receiving end of some pranks. Hernandez endured the heat, however, transferring it to the hardwood.
Everyone knew who Hernandez was during her senior season, dominating opponents night after night. The 5-foot-9 forward stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 20.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Her impact helped guide PSJA High to a 27-11 overall record, including a 12-4 mark during District 31-6A play. For her all-around efforts, Hernandez is The Monitor’s 2022 All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
“Honestly, at this point I’m just blessed with all the awards I’ve received,” Hernandez said. “Most of them, I don’t even know what they are until my coach explains them to me. I’m just really grateful for all of them.”
Hernandez displayed her potential as a freshman, earning District 30-6A’s and The Monitor’s 2019 Newcomer of the Year honors after averaging 10.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
This season, she added another weapon to her arsenal, going 15-of-50 from beyond the arc for a 30% clip. During her first three seasons, Hernandez converted on just 4-of-25 (16%) from the 3-point line.
“My shot has been my biggest improvement that I finished off with this season,” Hernandez said. “My freshman year, I couldn’t even shoot a 3. I could make a half-court shot but I couldn’t make a three. Now I can consistently shoot and make 3s. That’s been the biggest improvement in my game, and it’s been a big help.”
Hernandez finished the season with double-doubles in 29 of her 37 appearances, including a pair of contests with more than 25 points and 20 rebounds.
Her no-fear mentality in the paint helped her succeed in the post, Hernandez said, nabbing 10-plus rebounds in all but eight of her appearances.
“Not to be scared is one of my biggest thoughts when I walk into the gym,” Hernandez said. “My coach (Nelly Treviño) thinks very highly of me so I’m just trying to meet her standards half the time. But I’m not scared to go in. That’s been a big help for me. I thank my parents for not being so hard on me. I think that helps a lot, too. I see other people who have their parents get mad at them. Mine just tell me I got it next game and tell me to work hard for it. All of that, it’s helped.”
Her impact on the defensive side was just as great, nabbing at least one steal in all but three games and adding a block in all but five games. Hernandez finished the season with 130 steals and 50 blocks.
During the postseason, Hernandez put the exclamation point on her four-year career, netting 25 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, four steals and five blocks during PSJA High’s Class 6A bi-district contest against Weslaco High. Her performance nearly willed the Bears into the second round, falling 49-44.
Hernandez’s success on the hardwood is no surprise to those who have followed her throughout high school. This season Hernandez earned accolades in every sport she competed in. She was voted District 31-6A’s Blocker of the Year in volleyball, earned District 31-6A MVP honors in basketball, nabbed a first-team all-district catcher selection, and also finished third at the Region IV-6A track championships in the discus throw.
The credit all goes back to her family and coaches, Hernandez said, with their constant support helping her get to where she’s at.
One thing is certain, Hernandez made sure people fear the goggles now.
“I just took everything and showed them what ‘goggle girl’ could really do,” Hernandez said.
