Athlete Spotlight: Alexa Sotto and Trevion Williams
School—Mt. Diablo High
Sport—Basketball
Sotto and Williams have taken very different paths to end up as MDHS basketball co-honorees in his month’s Athlete Spotlight. Senior Sotto completed her fourth year as “an intricate part of the Lady Devils basketball program. “There’s not enough to be said about Alexa Sotto. She has dominated on and off the court,” says coach Kat Cruz. Sotto— individually and with her team— has willingly participated in several volunteer opportunities. “Her dedication to her community and team is immense. Alexa has leadership qualities that have guided her teammates to several victories.” Sotto was a three-year starting point guard and team captain, two year’s first team all-league and team MVP. This season, she was the third leading scorer in league, second best free throw shooter and third leading three-point shooter. The most memorable game of her career probably came last year in a double overtime win for the Lady Devils over Berean Christian with Sotto pouring in 33 points, exactly half of her team’s total. Her coach adds, “Alexa will be missed and unmatched.”
Williams was named second-team all-DAL for this play this winter on the Red Devils boys team. The junior guard almost didn’t get a chance for such laurels. Athletic Director Ryan Leuschen explains that Williams was cut from the squad last year for a poor attitude and immaturity and then started off his junior season late last fall by getting cut again. This time, his teammates voted Williams back on the team. And that second chance gave him the opportunity “to grow and mature right before our eyes. The hiatus taught him a lesson. Trevion finally seemed to see the light and grow. He now is a true leader on campus and is doing everything he needs to do to have a successful future, both academically and athletically,” says Leuschen. Williams let his play speak for itself and he helped the Red Devils to nine victories this year after the team had won only one game in the two previous seasons combined.
The Pioneer congratulates Alexa and Trevion and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Concord and Clayton area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.