Central Valley High School's girls basketball program is moving forward without star point guard/Western Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player Mikayla Mabie, who graduated in June.
"She was a talented player," said Adriana Haynes, Mabie's teammate for the past two seasons.
Haynes and Central Valley's summer hoops squad defeated Downey 36-17 at the Modesto Junior College Summer League on June 27.
The Hawks lost by double digits to the Sonora Wildcats.
Central Valley posted a combined record of 0-13 at the Sacramento State and Chico State camps.
"It's definitely been a struggle for us," Haynes said. "This is my first time playing with this group of girls. We have a young team. We'll get better."
The Hawks' summer roster features a mix of veterans and newcomers.
Haynes, Adria Robinson, Blanca Espinoza, Alexis Contreras and Rosie Duarte are varsity returners.
Lupita Becerra, Sunaina Dhillon and Chetna Kumar contributed at the junior-varsity level during the 2015-16 school year.
Dolores Uti and Dream Miranda played for Central Valley in the past.
Uti suited up for the Hawks' JV team in 2014-15.
Miranda was a member of Central Valley's freshman squad in 2013-14.
Seniors-to-be Haynes, Robinson and Espinoza have taken on leadership roles on this year's team.
Adriana contributed at forward her junior year.
She earned first-team all-WAC honors.
Haynes averaged 10.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game off the bench.
Robinson, a center/forward, averaged 8.1 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Espinoza, a reserve guard, averaged 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds.
"I didn't have to say anything the last two years," Haynes said. "Now, I have to show other players what to do. I like it. My job is to make sure everybody is doing their job."
Mabie's production and leadership will be missed during the 2016-17 season.
Mikayla averaged 13.9 points, 10.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while leading the Hawks to an 18-8 overall record, a share of the WAC championships (11-1) and their second straight Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.
"We have to build up chemistry and trust with each other," said Haynes, a third-year varsity player. "It's going to take some time. We have a lot of growing to do."
