Regina Sankey of Branham plays big on the court, but the humble and versatile junior just went to work. Sankey led the team in scoring (19.5 ppg), rebounding (12.1 rpg) and steals (4.8 spg) and finished second on the team in assists (2.3 apg). She finished the year with 18 double-doubles.

But when asked about her triple-double against Gunderson (22 points, 16 rebounds, 11 steals), she wasn’t even aware of it.

“I’m proud of my team and how we worked together,” Sankey said. “I like working hard and giving 100 percent in everything I do.”

For her efforts, Sankey has been named the Prep2Prep Central Coast Section Junior of the Year.

Sankey, Ashley Parsons, and Jessica Mok formed a stellar trio, averaging about 42 points a game combined. Sankey and Mok have been playing together since fifth grade, and the group will complete a four-year run at the San Jose school next season. Sankey is staying motivated. She wants to “be in better shape” and work on her defense.

Branham was 15-11 overall this year, 9-5 in the Mount Hamilton league of the BVAL. The Bruins finished third, nestled behind Westmont and Piedmont Hills (12-2 each), and two games ahead of Evergreen Valley. They lost to Silver Creek in the BVAL semifinals and to Santa Clara in the first round of the CCS playoffs.

Last season the Bruins won the BVAL championship, reached the CCS championship game, and earned an entry into the CIF brackets.

But Sankey says, “We weren’t as much as a team as we were this season. We had more fun this year, we played more like a team.”

Credit that in part to first-year coach Heather Queyrel, who had been an assistant the previous four seasons. She calls Sankey “very aggressive on offense. Anytime the ball is in her hands she’s going to make something happen.”

She says Sankey has shown improvement in her “knowledge of the game” and her “ability to take a charge.” She acknowledges that, like most kids, she can get better on defense.

“I love playing with my coach,” says Sankey. “She really loves us and wants us to succeed.”

Also considered: Paige Vermeer, G, Castilleja; Josie Little, C, St. Ignatius; Marissa Hing, G, Pinewood.

NOTE: We would like to thank our readers for all of the nominations you sent in for the season-ending CCS basketball awards. It is a daunting task to narrow down our selections to just the top few as we recognize there are lots of great players who make contributions on the court that are not necessarily well-documented but mean a great deal to the success of their teams. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of CCS basketball.