Sequoia stands tall as small forward

Adam Candee

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

Her first name is an impressive enigma.

Sequoia Holmes looks nothing like a giant redwood tree on the basketball court, springing high off the ground and sprinting effortlessly from end to end. Yet Holmes, a senior at Mojave High, set down some heavy roots when she officially signed with UNLV to stay home for her college basketball career.

"This is a good opportunity to show everybody that Vegas doesn't have just scrubs," Holmes said Wednesday. "Not just people in town, people out of state, too."

It is specifically those in town that Lady Rebels coach Regina Miller hopes notice the program's growing commitment to attracting local players. Holmes will become the third Las Vegas-area player at UNLV, joining sophomore Nikki Hitchens (Silverado) and freshman Tashina Terry (Cimarron-Memorial).

"I'm glad that we were able to sign a local athlete," Miller said. "I feel that it's important for us to go after and keep the local talent here in Las Vegas."

In terms of talent, few -- if any -- in town possess more than Holmes. A 6-foot-1 swing forward with outstanding leaping ability, Holmes is averaging 22.5 points per game for the Rattlers this season. She is successfully making the switch from guard to wing, where first-year Mojave coach Darrell Green is hoping to capitalize on her jumping ability in the post.

"Her game has grown up a lot this year," Green said. "She's teaching this year."

Holmes feels that choosing UNLV over Arizona, Colorado State and UCLA before the season started is helping her performance.

"My senior basketball season would be a lot less stressful if I just do what I have to do," Holmes said.

It also helps Holmes work on the leadership and maturity that Miller wants to see next year. With her future coach in town, Holmes is essentially enjoying a training season for her next four as a Lady Rebel. Earning her college ride is not diminishing Holmes' drive to improve -- and no one knows her faults better than Holmes herself.

"I could be a little less lazy at times, but when I have determination, I could be a good player," Holmes said. "I tend to get lazy when we're not playing a good team."

"There's always things to be worked on."

As recently as last year, Holmes thought she would be working on those things so she could move away for college ball.

"When I was in 9th, 10th, 11th grade, I said no way I was going to UNLV, no way I would stay in town," Holmes said.

Miller and her staff built a strong rapport with Holmes, though, and the allure of remaining close to friends and family became tempting. Green said he did not attempt to steer Holmes to do anything but make her own decision, but now that she is staying at UNLV, he could not be happier.

"She's a prototype player for Regina Miller," Green said. "She'll get support because all of us will go see her play. She's going to bring a good following."

Miller is counting on that as she keeps working to bring more people out to Lady Rebels games. Holmes already brought her Mojave teammates to a UNLV game this season, giving them a preview of what she will be doing next season -- in addition to studying psychology, her major.

"She's got a bright future ahead of her," Miller said.