BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Jayla Santa Maria of the Edinburg High Lady Bobcats hesitates to answer what should be a simple question.
What position does she play?
“Well, (coach John David Salinas) had me playing everywhere,” the RGVSports.com All-Valley Newcomer of the Year said.
Indeed, Santa Maria’s freshman year stats reflect her productive and multi-faceted season. She led Edinburg in points per game (11.7) and assists (1.7), and was also second in rebounds (7.7) and steals (3.0). Despite her youth, she says expectations were apparent before the season began.
“After school one day, the coaching staff pulled me aside to let me know what they expected of me. They said, ‘You’re going to be our go-to girl this season,” Santa Maria said.
Santa Maria helped the Lady Bobcats to an overall record of 23-13 and a third-place finish in District 31-6A. The team made an appearance during the bi-district round of the playoffs against Brownsville Veterans.
“The nerves hit me right before the game started,” Santa Maria said. “I was like, ‘Woah, this is really happening.”
