To make a varsity team as an upperclassmen is a challenge, but to make it as a freshman is an even greater feat.

Senior point guard Leeda Jewayni made the varsity girls basketball team as a freshman and has been a constant contributor all four years.

“As a four-year varsity player, she shows a maturity others don’t,” head coach Katelyn McMahon said. “On the court she is expected to run the offense and cover the other team’s best guard. Off the court, she does a good job of meshing all four grades together.”

Jewayni was influenced to start playing basketball when she played with her uncles. Her first organized basketball came when she joined a team in second grade.

I have four uncles that all played basketball,” Jewayni said. “They would teach me how to shoot. But my dad was really the one who supported me in pursuing competitive basketball teams like the AAU Flames in second grade, and that launched my basketball career.”

This year, Jewayni is a key factor for the team, averaging nine points a game. McMahon credits her success to her ability to drive on offense, strong ball handling skills and great court intelligence.

“Leeda is one of the physically strongest guards in the county,” McMahon said. “She is the most versatile guard we have.”

Her main goal for this year is to lead the team further in the playoffs than it went last year, where it lost in the regional quarterfinals.

However, Jewayni will not pursue collegiate basketball in her future. With her family moving to California, and Cal-Berkeley as her top choice, she has a limited interest in playing.
Though she may be leaving the East coast, her legacy as a leader and pivotal player will continue.

“Leeda brings leadership to the team,” senior Molly Coleman said. “She always helps us on defense. We all look up to her.”