The Elite Eight: Meet the top athletes from the best winter sports season the desert has ever seen
These eight players represent the best of what was the greatest winter sports season the desert has ever seen
The Elite Eight: Meet the top athletes from the best winter sports season the desert has ever seen These eight players represent the best of what was the greatest winter sports season the desert has ever seen Check out this story on desertsun.com: https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/04/08/elite-eight-meet-top-athletes-historic-winter-sports-season/3282358002/
Shad Powers, Palm Springs Desert Sun Published 7:00 a.m. PT April 8, 2019
It was one of the most successful winter sports seasons the desert has ever had. So it's no wonder that this year's group of top winter athletes is loaded.
Two CIF champions, a CIF basketball finalist, a state champ, record-breakers and history-makers. In just the sports of basketball, soccer and water polo alone, the desert had an incredible 18 first-team All-CIF performers.
Without further ado, let's meet The Desert Sun's Top Winter Athletes:
FABIANA ZAVALA
Desert Mirage soccer player Fabiana Zavala is selected as one of The Desert Sun's top winter athletes, Palm Springs, Calif., April 4, 2019. (Photo: Zoë Meyers/The Desert Sun)
School: Desert Mirage
Sport: Soccer
Why: Where to begin. Zavala led the Rams to the first-ever girls' CIF-SS soccer title in the history of the valley. She seemed to always be the one coming up with the big goal during the playoff run. She was a first-team all-league performer and she was named the CIF Division 7 Player of the Year. Wow!
More: Desert Mirage wins first girls' soccer CIF title in Coachella Valley history
GETTING TO KNOW ZAVALA
Pre-game music: Something that makes me move, so probably "Summer" by Calvin Harris
Post-match meal: Sushi. At first I didn't really like it, but I tried different things and now I love it.
If you could visit any country ...: Probably a country in Africa. I did a project on Africa and I got to see the traditions, the culture and the people. And I love animals and I think that's a good place to go to see animals.
Favorite pro athlete: Lionel Messi. He's inspirational because of his (lack of) size and he's just very fast and his skills are really good.
JORDDY BAEZ
Jorddy Baez of Rancho Mirage soccer is one of The Desert Sun's top winter athletes, Palm Springs, Calif., March 29, 2019. (Photo: Zoe Meyers/The Desert Sun)
School: Rancho Mirage
Why: Baez led the Rattlers to uncharted heights during the soccer season. They won the Desert Empire League, which was the school's first-ever team title in the new league. The Rattlers then advanced all the way to the CIF semifinals, the deepest run the school had ever had. Along the way, he was named a co-MVP of the Desert Empire League and earned first-team All-CIF honors.
More: Rancho Mirage reaches first-ever CIF semifinal in boys' soccer with dominant win
GETTING TO KNOW BAEZ
Post-match meal: A granola bar and water
If you could visit any country ...: I'd visit Spain, Barcelona, because the best soccer team in the world is there.
Favorite pro athlete: That would have to be Lionel Messi
Binge-watching anything?: No, I don't really watch TV or play video games or things like that. Mostly just always about soccer and trying to learn and get better.
TROY MANTANONA
Troy Mantanona, wrestler from Palm Desert High School (Photo: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)
School: Palm Desert
Sport: Wrestling
Why: Mantanona had another stellar year on the mat to close out a distinguished career that included three trips to the CIF state meet. This year, he won a Desert Empire League title, had a second-place finish in the CIF-Divisional meet, a championship at 152 pounds at the Masters Meet and a trip to the state meet. His title at the Masters was his crowning achievement, one he hadn't accomplished before. And he did it by pinning his nemesis Sonny Santiago, who had beaten him for the divisional title and edged him again at the state meet. Mantanona will continue his wrestling career at the college level, though he hasn't chosen a school yet.
More: Mantanona gets wrestling redemption; Ahmed, Zepeda also grab Masters titles as 6 advance
GETTING TO KNOW MANTANONA
Favorite music: Country music mostly and early 2000s R&B before a match. Nelly or Usher is what I like pre-match, because it gets me hyped but not angry-hyped
Favorite meal: I don't have a specific meal, just whatever I'm eating. I know there are certain days I can eat more of it. Usually Saturday night I eat my biggest meal of the week.
Favorite pro athlete: He's not a pro, but Jalen Hurts the QB who used to be at Alabama now he's at Oklahoma, I don't even know why, I'm not a big football guy, but I just always loved that guy. I like his positive attitude despite all the bad stuff that happened to him. I don't think I would have handled as well as he did.
CINDY ZEPEDA
Palm Springs wrestler Cindy Zepeda will be competing at Nationals this weekend, Palm Springs, Calif., March 26, 2019. (Photo: Zoë Meyers/The Desert Sun)
School: Palm Springs
Why: Zepeda had the most decorated season and career in desert girls' wrestling history. She won the league title, the Masters title, the state title and even went to the national meet in Virginia, where she finished third. It was a remarkable run for a girl who also helps promote the sport at her school, encouraging others to join. She plans to wrestle at the college level, but hasn't finalized a school yet.
More: Now on national stage, Palm Springs wrestler Cindy Zepeda has silenced all doubters
GETTING TO KNOW ZEPEDA
Binge-watching anything ...: I usually don't take time to watch TV or movies, but I am into this show "On My Block" on Netflix. It's cool.
Post-match food: My coach has gotten me really into poke. I like it and it's pretty healthy, and if I go out for food, that's what I'm always getting.
Favorite pro athlete: Ronda Rousey. She's who started me wanting to be in MMA.
DAMIEN KING
Damien King, basketball player from Palm Springs High School (Photo: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)
Sport: Basketball
Why: What King brought to the Indians and their historic postseason run that was so valuable was his presence. Talented, sure, but his calm demeanor and level head helped the Indians perform in the clutch moments. He sank two free throws with under three seconds left to defeat the No. 1 team in the division, helping the Indians reach the CIF final for the first time since 1983. He was first-team all-league and averaged 18 points and eight rebounds. He was also a first-team All-CIF performer. He plans to play at the college level, but hasn't announced at which school yet.
More: How Reggie Miller, Valentine's Day and a black banner have driven Palm Springs to title game
GETTING TO KNOW KING
Binge-watching anything?: Don't watch much TV, I like to watch old sports videos, like I like to watch Hardwood Heroes, Below the Rim stuff about great NBA players from the past and stuff.
Favorite old-school hoopster: Allen Iverson, I like his game and how he was overall as a person.
Hype music: I like Meek Mill's "Ima Boss", listen to a lot of Nipsey Hussle, depends on how I'm feeling that day.
Favorite other sport: Football, my favorite team is the Steelers and my favorite wide receiver is Antonio Brown, sucks they lost him, but I like JuJu (Smith Schuster) too.
SAVANNAH HAMPTON
La Quinta water polo player Savannah Hampton is selected as one of The Desert Sun's top winter athletes, Palm Springs, Calif., April 3, 2019. (Photo: Zoë Meyers/The Desert Sun)
School: La Quinta
Sport: Water polo
What she did: It was a dream finish to a stellar career for Hampton. She and the Blackhawks achieved their ultimate goal, a CIF-SS championship. The Blackhawks swept through the league and the playoffs and picked up the school's first-ever girls' water polo title. She was the team's leading scorer, and came through with some of the biggest goals in the championship game. She will continue her water polo career at Arizona State University.
More: Destined to be champions: La Quinta captures school's first girls' water polo title
GETTING TO KNOW HAMPTON
Favorite music: I listen to country music and I like Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton.
Post-game meal: Chocolate milk is a go-to. Of course, that's any day, not just game days. And whatever my mom makes.
Favorite athlete: Love Katie Ledecky, but I also stalk Maggie Steffens. She's on the U.S. water polo national team.
If you could visit another country ...: I always wanted to go to Australia, pretty much so I can see kangaroos.
ALEXIS LEGAN
Alexis Legan of Palm Desert basketball is one of The Desert Sun's top winter athletes, Palm Springs, Calif., March 29, 2019. (Photo: Zoë Meyers/The Desert Sun)
Sport: Girls' basketball
Why: Legan had one of the most prolific seasons in recent desert girls' basketball memory. She averaged 23.6 points per game and had games of 50 points (a school record for any boys or girls player) and 45 points along the way. She was the Desert Empire League MVP and helped the Aztecs to the league title. She will continue her basketball career in college by starting at College of the Desert and aiming to end up at a Division I school.
More: She did what? Palm Desert's Alexis Legan scores record 50 points in win over Rancho Mirage
GETTING TO KNOW LEGAN
Favorite pro team: Lakers, favorite player Kobe Bryant
Post-game meal: Pasta and bread
Binge-watching anything?: I like Stranger Things on Netflix a lot
If you could visit another country ...: Probably somewhere in Europe, like London. I've actually already been there (when) I played with a Team USA team that went to London. It was pretty great.
Nina Wallace, girls' basketball player from Cathedral City High School (Photo: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)
School: Cathedral City
Why: Wallace stepped up her game during her senior season, averaging almost 23 points per game and leading a Lions' team that has won 30 consecutive league games to another undefeated league title. She had a knack for hitting the big shot, most notably when she hit a 3-pointer to send the game into OT against Twentynine Palms and then hit a buzzer-beating 3 to win it. She was the Desert Valley League MVP and a first-team All-CIF performer as the Lions advanced to the CIF semifinals.
More: Cathedral City girls' basketball storms past Yucca Valley, captures second straight DVL crown
GETTING TO KNOW WALLACE
Binge-watching anything?: Definitely that show "On My Block" and a lot of Anime
Favorite meal: I love to eat chicken tenders and fries and my Nana's cooking is always the best.
If you could visit any country ...: I'd go back to Italy. I got to go there on a choir trip last year and it was amazing. Loved it.
Favorite pro athlete: Weirdly, I don't have one. I just am not into pro sports for some reason.
Shad Powers is sports columnist for The Desert Sun. He wants to hear from you. What did you think of The Desert Sun's choices? Should someone else have made the list? Shoot Shad an e-mail at shad.powers@desertsun.com with your thoughts.
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