The Sage Hill girls’ basketball team is entering a new chapter, fielding a lineup without any seniors in their starting five. While this youthful squad is still finding its rhythm, there’s optimism about the future.

This isn’t the first time Sage Hill has built a team around young talent. Four years ago, a group of freshmen, including Emily Eadie (now at Princeton), Kat Righeimer (Northwestern), and Annabelle Spotts (University of Chicago), led the team to remarkable success. They won a CIF championship as freshmen, a state title as sophomores, and competed in the elite Open Division over the next two seasons.

This year, head coach Kerwin Walters is focused on teaching his team how to finish games strong. However, that challenge was evident in their recent 63-46 loss to Fairmont Prep during the Kiernan Klassic at Mater Dei High School. Despite leading 29-28 at halftime, Sage Hill struggled in the second half, scoring only 17 points overall and just two points in the fourth quarter.

Coach Walters emphasized that their youth isn’t an excuse anymore. “We have talent, size, and skill,” Walters said. “It’s about making the right decisions and executing, and we didn’t do that today.” The Lightning’s record now stands at 8-7, with five losses in their last six games. This tough stretch included a matchup against powerhouse Mater Dei and participation in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona.

The team’s performance on Saturday highlighted areas for improvement. Junior point guard Amalia Holguin is the most experienced player on the roster, contributing seven points, three assists, and three steals. Sophomore Kamdyn Klamberg stepped up with a team-high 16 points and three steals. Yet, turnovers were an issue, as Holguin and Klamberg accounted for 11 of Sage Hill’s 21 total turnovers. Freshman center Eve Fowler added five points and an impressive 14 rebounds, while fellow freshman Addison Uphoff scored 12 points, along with three assists and two blocks.

Fairmont Prep, now 11-5, delivered a solid performance led by junior Adyra Rajan. She scored a game-high 28 points, including four three-pointers, along with eight rebounds and four steals. Rajan’s hot shooting opened opportunities for her teammates. Lesina Afu contributed 14 points, while Sarah Aldeguer added 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Maria Mejia chipped in with 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Fairmont Prep coach Josh Lozano praised Rajan’s impact. “When she gets going, it creates space for everyone else,” he said. Rajan herself credited their challenging schedule for preparing the team for big moments, noting they are focused on making a playoff push and possibly qualifying for the Open Division.

As for Sage Hill, Walters remains confident in his team’s potential. “Right now, we’re not playing great defense or doing the little things we need to do,” he admitted. “But I believe in these girls. They’re going to be one of the toughest teams in the state—maybe this year or definitely next year. We just have to come together as a unit.”

For now, the Lightning will aim to bounce back as they open Pacific Coast League play against Woodbridge (3-14) on Tuesday.