Rio Linda High School Girls Basketball Season Preview

Season Overview: The Rio Linda High School girls' basketball team enjoyed a fantastic season under Coach Jerry Huffhines, dominating their conference with a perfect 14-0 record and finishing 29-5 overall. They advanced to the Final Four in both their Section and NorCal Playoffs, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the region. Despite tough battles in the postseason, the Knights showed remarkable resilience and consistency throughout the year. Key Contributors: LaRay Mitchell and Mariah Walton led the team in scoring, setting the pace offensively. The entire starting lineup contributed heavily, with each player averaging between 8 and 14 points per game, emphasizing the team’s balanced attack and unselfish play. Growth and Development: All five starters—LaRay Mitchell, Mariah Walton, Kyrri Mitchell, Savannah Grant, and Izzy Hernandez—showed significant growth over the course of the season. Their development into bigger roles played a major part in the team's success and postseason run. Defining Characteristics: Rio Linda’s team was built on resilience and a strong work ethic. They never lost back-to-back games all season, always responding to challenges with renewed energy and focus. Their playoff journey was driven by a confident, determined group aiming to surpass previous achievements. Senior Leadership: While the senior class contributed valuable minutes off the bench, the primary leadership came from the returning core. Their energy and willingness to support the starters were appreciated, even though on-court contributions were more limited. Looking Ahead: With the entire starting lineup returning next season, expectations are high for Rio Linda. Coach Huffhines is excited about the group’s experience, hunger for success, and understanding of the hard work needed to capture a Section Title. Offseason Focus: The team will be working on improving every area of the game—shooting, basketball IQ, rebounding, and more—as they prepare for what promises to be another exciting campaign. Stats Source: MaxPreps