![At a group practice, sophomore Layla Gutierrez sings, while seniors Armando Gutierrez and Jaden Cerna play the electric bass and guitar. “It’s cool being in a band with [my sister], but though we’re related, sometimes our ideas in the creative process differ and cause some conflicts,” Armando said. (@hopelesssamaritanband)](https://alisaltrojantribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/067cae3d6e7e8d0fd59cd886c8c689dbc703ed15-14-1033x1200.jpg)
Girls’ varsity basketball had a solid run last season. They went 7-5 in league and 16-10 overall, and coach Claudia Moran has nothing but high expectations for the team this year. “I want to win titles, make it to CCS, and go back to state,” Moran said.
The team had previously gone to state just two seasons ago, the first time ever for an Alisal girls’ basketball team, and qualified for CCS last season.
The team had faced a significant setback last year when Nayeli Gil-Silva was injured early in the season. Against Salinas, she fractured her tibial tubercle and tore her ACL. The recovery process took over 7 months, forcing her to sit out the rest of the season. “I stayed involved, like I still went to all the games,” Gil-Silva said. But, she is now back on the court and ready to play.
Despite losing top players Alyssa Annis, Isabella Gonzalez, Audreyna Ruiz, and Aileen Gonzalez to graduation, the team has continued to play strong with returners Nayeli Gil-Silva, Milagros Santiago, Mia Rivera, Yarit Rodriguez, and Syree Barrios. “I feel like we have more of a stronger connection, and I feel like that’s what’s making us play how we’re playing now,” Santiago said.
The team had a strong preseason, finishing 9-1. They won the Sandy Stober Classic and finished 3rd in the West Coast Jamboree, where they suffered their only loss against Pleasant Valley, from Chico.
With these results, Moran is incredibly proud about how the preseason went. “We did awesome in preseason. We beat Los Gatos, which were CCS champions last year,” she said.
Making it to CCS playoffs is a common goal shared between the varsity players and their coach. It is an achievement that they have been able to reach for several previous seasons and they refuse to let go of it. “I want to stay having that feeling,” Moran said.
So far, the team is in good position to make their goals a reality. Through 5 games, the team is 4-1 and in second place in the Gabilan PCAL. “I think we’re playing really good together and I just feel really good about this season,” freshman Aubrey Jones said.
With all this laid out in front of them, the team hopes to achieve big this season and be able to play their best. “We take it one day at a time and then we go from there safely,” Moran said.
