FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
The Santa Maria Lady Cougars are riding a wave of momentum this season thanks, in part, to the help of Byanca Cantu, who has led the Lady Cougars to the top of the District 32-2A standings with a 3-0 record. They have also garnered some state recognition on this week’s Texas Girls Coaches Association 2017 Basketball Poll, which ranked Santa Maria at No. 15.
The sophomore shooting guard racked up an impressive 36 points and 14 steals during the past two outings to earn her the Valley Morning Star girls Player of the Week award.
Against San Perlita, Cantu scored a team high 19 points and seven steals and followed it up with another brilliant performance against Lasara where she scored 17 points and had seven steals.
“Byanca is just a hard worker on the court,” said Santa Maria head coach Andrew Sierra. “She’s a silent leader and she doesn’t automatically try to grab the spotlight because the spotlight comes to her. She put the work in on her off time in the summer.
“She has no fear because fearless on the court and to add to it she is very coachable. Her hustle, heart, and love of the game make her an im-portant part of the game.”
Cantu is averaging six rebounds a game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from behind the arc.
The Lady Cougars host La Villa at 6 tonight.