Westview High School's girl's basketball program has been a serious contender to win the Division-I state title the past seasons, and looks to have their best chance to win it all this high school season. Even last season when the program would run into the state's most dominant team, the St. Mary's Knights, only to lose on their home floor after going undefeated for some time; the Westview girls still looked to have a chance to take home the hardware.
This season, behind the strong off-court leadership of mother and head coach Lisa Contreras, and the on-the-court prowess of 5-foot-4 senior point guard and daughter Renee Contreras, Westview (18-4) has rolled again this season - blowing out most of their opponents on the season. After dropping a few games this season, Westview has rolled as of late - winning their last 10 games in a row, including a big blowout 57-30 road victory over top-rated Mountain Pointe HS.
Much of the reason for Westview's success this high school season has been the terrific and steady guard play from Renee Contreras. Contreras has been an absolute terror for opposing teams, having to defend her nice on-the-ball skillset. Her ability to penetrate defenses with the basketball, create for others and also score at a high rate in transition have made the Knights one of my early favorites this season to make it to the state finals.
While Contreras is a superb talent, she has still yet to receive the college recruiting attention that she deserves. While she is a problem for the opposition within the state of Arizona, many college coaches have thought she might be too small for the division-I level. I completely disagree with this assumption and urge division-I college programs to give her an opportunity, as she is a unique performer.
Today, kids that can play the game of basketball and are committed to developing on and off the basketball floor, succeed at a high rate at the collegiate level. Contreras, who comes from a rich basketball family, is just what the doctor ordered for a college program looking for a floor general that makes her teammates better, has strong work ethic, an excellent attitude and a wonderful smile. This young lady has earned my respect and has made this year's Westview girls one of my clear favorites to compete and challenge Desert Vista HS for the state title.
Contereras has heard from such college programs as Pepperdine, Grand Canyon and numerous junior college programs in the state, but she is worthy of much more recruitment from the mid-major division-I level.
I will continue to keep a close eye on Contreras and her strong Westview teammates throughout the remainder of the girl's high school season, as this team is fun to watch - led by the talent of Contreras.
