2025 Winter Season Recap: Coach Manuel Cano Reflects on the Colusa High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team
As the winter season wraps up, Coach Manuel Cano of Colusa High School’s varsity girls basketball team sat down with us to reflect on a memorable and hard-fought 2025 campaign. It was a season marked by stellar performances, important milestones, and a glimpse of a promising future for the RedHawks.
A Season of Success and Grit
By any measure, the 2025 season was a successful one for Colusa High. Under Coach Cano’s leadership, the team clinched back-to-back league championships, a feat that speaks volumes about the program’s growth and consistency. While the RedHawks ultimately fell short in the Northern Section championship game to a formidable U-Prep squad—the defending champions—it was a season full of highlights, defining moments, and outstanding team and individual efforts.
“It went good,” said Coach Cano in reflection. “We won our league (back-to-back champs) but fell short in the Northern Section championship game to defending champions U-Prep.”
Key Contributors and Standout Players
Central to Colusa’s success this year was the presence of several standout players, each making a unique and meaningful contribution to the team. Topping the list is Danica Chavez, a four-year varsity player whose name has become synonymous with excellence in the program.
“We’re going to miss Danica,” Cano said. “She was a back-to-back league MVP. Her leadership and performance were unmatched.”
Danica’s scoring ability and leadership shone especially bright in the playoffs, including a 38-point explosion in the semifinal win over Orlando—a win that marked the first time in approximately 24 years that Colusa reached the championship game.
The team also benefited greatly from the growth of their post players. Addison Lay and McKenna Azbill, who play center, stepped into larger roles this season and made significant impacts on both ends of the court.
“Our centers played a big part, becoming scorers,” Cano noted. “They really improved their game from last year.”
Also rising to the occasion were a pair of promising sophomores: Marlie Berry, known for her defensive tenacity, and Peyton Miller, who ended the season as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Chavez.
Defining Moments: A Wake-Up Call and a Statement Win
Every championship run has its turning points. For the RedHawks, the lone league loss to Durham served as a crucial wake-up call.
“Losing to Durham—our only league loss in two years—woke up the team,” Cano said. “After that, we took care of business.”
Following that setback, the team went on a dominant run, finishing the regular season strong and securing the league title in convincing fashion. One of the season’s most exhilarating moments came in the section semifinal against Orlando.
“Getting past Orlando to reach the championship game for the first time in like 24 years—that was huge,” Cano recalled. “It was a tight game at halftime, but we blew it open in the second half. Our defensive intensity picked up, and Danica’s 38 points helped seal the win.”
The Legacy of the Senior Class
The 2025 season also marked the end of an era for Colusa basketball, as the team bid farewell to a talented senior class. In total, the RedHawks are graduating eight seniors, leaving a significant leadership and experience gap to fill next season.
“This senior class brought a lot to the program—leadership, energy, performance,” said Cano. “It’s going to be a challenge next year. We’re losing eight seniors and won’t have any seniors on the roster next season.”
While the departure of this veteran group creates uncertainty, it also opens doors for a new generation of players to step up.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future
Despite the looming challenge of a youthful squad in 2026, Coach Cano remains optimistic and energized about the program’s direction. The valuable experience gained by underclassmen this season lays a solid foundation for the future.
“I’m excited about the two sophomores I brought up,” Cano said. “They got significant playing time, and I can’t wait to see what they do next year. Hoping to keep the excitement up and continue to get girls to want to play basketball.”
As for the offseason, Cano’s focus is squarely on development.
“We’re looking to develop our underclassmen and build their confidence,” he emphasized.
A Program on the Rise
The Colusa High School girls basketball program, under Coach Cano’s steady hand, is clearly on the rise. Winning back-to-back league titles is a testament to the team’s commitment, resilience, and talent. While the departure of a remarkable senior class marks the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of another—one that promises growth, opportunity, and new heroes.
For fans eager to track the RedHawks’ journey, game stats and season data can be found at MaxPreps.com, offering a deeper dive into the numbers behind their success.
In the end, the 2025 season will be remembered not just for the banners and victories but for the heart, hustle, and legacy left behind by a special group of players. And with a dedicated coach and hungry young talent on the rise, the future of Colusa girls' basketball looks bright.
 but fell short in the Northern Section championship game to defending champions U-Prep.”
Key Contributors and Standout Players
Central to Colusa’s success this year was the presence of several standout players, each making a unique and meaningful contribution to the team. Topping the list is Danica Chavez, a four-year varsity player whose name has become synonymous with excellence in the program.
“We’re going to miss Danica,” Cano said. “She was a back-to-back league MVP. Her leadership and performance were unmatched.”
Danica’s scoring ability and leadership shone especially bright in the playoffs, including a 38-point explosion in the semifinal win over Orlando—a win that marked the first time in approximately 24 years that Colusa reached the championship game.
The team also benefited greatly from the growth of their post players. Addison Lay and McKenna Azbill, who play center, stepped into larger roles this season and made significant impacts on both ends of the court.
“Our centers played a big part, becoming scorers,” Cano noted. “They really improved their game from last year.”
Also rising to the occasion were a pair of promising sophomores: Marlie Berry, known for her defensive tenacity, and Peyton Miller, who ended the season as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Chavez.
Defining Moments: A Wake-Up Call and a Statement Win
Every championship run has its turning points. For the RedHawks, the lone league loss to Durham served as a crucial wake-up call.
“Losing to Durham—our only league loss in two years—woke up the team,” Cano said. “After that, we took care of business.”
Following that setback, the team went on a dominant run, finishing the regular season strong and securing the league title in convincing fashion. One of the season’s most exhilarating moments came in the section semifinal against Orlando.
“Getting past Orlando to reach the championship game for the first time in like 24 years—that was huge,” Cano recalled. “It was a tight game at halftime, but we blew it open in the second half. Our defensive intensity picked up, and Danica’s 38 points helped seal the win.”
The Legacy of the Senior Class
The 2025 season also marked the end of an era for Colusa basketball, as the team bid farewell to a talented senior class. In total, the RedHawks are graduating eight seniors, leaving a significant leadership and experience gap to fill next season.
“This senior class brought a lot to the program—leadership, energy, performance,” said Cano. “It’s going to be a challenge next year. We’re losing eight seniors and won’t have any seniors on the roster next season.”
While the departure of this veteran group creates uncertainty, it also opens doors for a new generation of players to step up.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future
Despite the looming challenge of a youthful squad in 2026, Coach Cano remains optimistic and energized about the program’s direction. The valuable experience gained by underclassmen this season lays a solid foundation for the future.
“I’m excited about the two sophomores I brought up,” Cano said. “They got significant playing time, and I can’t wait to see what they do next year. Hoping to keep the excitement up and continue to get girls to want to play basketball.”
As for the offseason, Cano’s focus is squarely on development.
“We’re looking to develop our underclassmen and build their confidence,” he emphasized.
A Program on the Rise
The Colusa High School girls basketball program, under Coach Cano’s steady hand, is clearly on the rise. Winning back-to-back league titles is a testament to the team’s commitment, resilience, and talent. While the departure of a remarkable senior class marks the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of another—one that promises growth, opportunity, and new heroes.
For fans eager to track the RedHawks’ journey, game stats and season data can be found at MaxPreps.com, offering a deeper dive into the numbers behind their success.
In the end, the 2025 season will be remembered not just for the banners and victories but for the heart, hustle, and legacy left behind by a special group of players. And with a dedicated coach and hungry young talent on the rise, the future of Colusa girls' basketball looks bright.)
Share With