Sun All-State basketball teams: Girls’ first team

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

Joanna Hixon

Galena, F, 5-10, senior

Notes: Two-time All-State selection spearheaded Grizzlies in every way this season ... four-year starter, won a state title in 1999-2000 ... amazing athlete, can touch the rim at 5-10 ... signed to play at Montana State ... averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and five steals ... Galena lost in region quarterfinals to Reno, when Hixon scored 22.

Said Grizzlies coach Karen Friel: "This year, she had to do everything for us. She had to play post defense, had to bring the ball up the floor. She led us in every category and she played very unselfishly."

Delicia Jernigan

Mineral County, G, 5-8, senior

Notes: Half of Nevada's most dynamic and successful girls' backcourt, along with girls' player of the year Sidney Orndorff ... able to make long-distance shots or slice to the basket and create her own opportunities ... Mineral County went 115-9 during her four years on varsity ... averaged 18.5 points per game as a senior, including 17 in 2A title game victory ... first team All Stater for second time.

Said Serpents coach Dave Gelmstedt: "Didi is more of the playmaker, take-charge kind of person. She would drive and create, and draw the defense. (She and Sidney) had a lot of fans."

Sidney Orndorff

Mineral County, G, 6-0, senior

Notes: 2002-03 Sun girls' player of the year ... one of most versatile players around, able to score, defend, rebound, and everything else ... averaged 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds during her final year ... younger sister of Ashley Orndorff, one of Nevada's best-ever female basketball players ... scored 27 points in championship game, as Serpents won fourth consecutive state title .. she and Jernigan hoping to be recruited together, UNR and Portland are interested.

Said Serpents coach Dave Gelmstedt: "Sidney was the defensive specialist. Whoever (the opponent's) better player was, she was assigned to that person. She's also the better shooter."

Melisa Cejas

Las Vegas, C, 6-2, senior

Notes: Unquestioned heartbeat of Wildcats team that ran through to state semifinals ... averaged 16 points, 14.5 rebounds, and three assists per game ... scored team's final six points in state quarterfinal comeback win against Douglas ... conversely, late Wildcats' lead against Bishop Gorman in state semifinals evaporated when she fouled out ... versatile post game created scoring chances for her and for Las Vegas guards.

Said Wildcats coach Bill Giguere: "She was a big-time player. Even though her stats aren't as high as last year, she was better. She dominated. If I was starting a team, I'd pick her. Those intangible things that when you needed a big play, she made it. She just took care of us all year."

Rachael Schein

Centennial, F, 5-11, senior

Notes: The main inside presence for the two-time defending state champion Bulldogs, and quite a strong presence at that ... a four-year varsity player for immensely successful Centennial program ... able to bang inside for tough points, as well as step out to hit mid-range jumpers ... has signed with Pac-10 power Arizona ... averaged 15 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and four assists per game, also took about one charge every game.

Said Bulldogs coach Karen Weitz: "The best part about Rachael is that she did what needed to be done. She would just play the role we needed to win that particular game. With a team like ours, she definitely knew there's a lot of talent around her."

Karen Weitz

Centennial, coach, 4th season

Notes: Bulldogs have known nothing but success since school opening four years ago ... overall record a sterling 124-7 during that time ... became first South team ever to claim back-to-back state titles in girls' basketball with wins in 2001-02 and 2002-03 ... installed structured program that asks players to dedicate at least 11 months of the year to basketball ... returns all but one player (Schein) next season.