Wingstop Player of the Week: Southeast Career Tech guard outscored opponent by herself

By Jesse Granger

Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 | 2 a.m.

The last time the Southeast Career Tech girls basketball team made a playoff appearance, sophomore guard Taylor Muwwakkil was in the first grade.

This year, Muwwakkil is leading the Roadrunners to one of their best seasons in years. After winning only 11 games in the past five years combined, SE Tech has won seven games this season and is off to a 2-1 start in conference play.

Last Wednesday, Muwwakkil outscored Del Sol High by herself, tallying 19 points in the Roadrunners' 47-13 win to earn the Sun’s Wingstop Player of the Week.

“I usually try more to help my teammates score, but I had a lot of open shots and when you’re open you have to take it,” Muwwakkil said. “We executed the plays and I was the open person, so I got more shots off.”

Muwwakkil played point guard as a freshman last season for the Roadrunners and gained valuable experience that is paying off this season.

“We threw so much at her last year that she knows what to expect,” SE Tech coach Diane Hernandez said. “She’s that coach on the floor for us. Even though she’s a sophomore, they really respect her.”

Muwwakkil now plays every position on the floor and leads the team in scoring with 15 points per game.

“On the court I’m one of the best on the team at directing because I was a point guard last year,” Muwwakkil said. “Now that I play all different positions I can see the different parts of the court and where people need to be.”

She scored a season-high 26 points in the Roadrunners' most recent win over Chaparral.

“She’s one of the better shooters on the team and when she’s not shooting, she assisting,” Hernandez said. “This year I think she’s matured a lot.”

With seven games remaining on the schedule, SE Tech is in fourth place of the 3A Sunrise League. The top four teams reach the playoffs.

“It’s actually really exciting because they haven’t gone to the playoffs in like 10 years and I really believe in this team that we can make it,” Muwwakkil said. “There have been a lot of girls to go through this school. and the fact that we could be the team to make it there is pretty exciting.”

Wingstop awards the player of the week with a $50 gift card and shirt.