Unlike most transfers, Sylena Peterson never felt like the new kid in school.<\/p>\n
The 5-foot-7 junior guard seems to have fit right in at Bonita Vista High after coming over from Mount Miguel following two league titles and a San Diego Section Open Division championship as well as being last seasons Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
Her arrival has turned the Barons, who finished off a third consecutive Metro Mesa League title Wednesday with a 70-30 win over visiting Eastlake in the regular-season finale, into an instant title contender.<\/p>\n
Her game, though, has changed.<\/p>\n
No longer does she need to have the ball in her hands all the time while initiating everything on offense.<\/p>\n
She still scores. Her 13.9 scoring average and 6.1 rebound average are second on the Barons (20-8, 10-0).<\/p>\n
Peterson, who scored 1,110 points in her two seasons at Mount Miguel, leads the Barons in assists (4.8) and steals (4.8).<\/p>\n
My game is not different, just better, said Peterson, who had four points and four rebounds and even blocked a shot against Eastlake (15-13, 3-7) while Julia Cosalan led the way with 19 points. Im more like an ABC point guard now, you know I can shoot from 3-point range, hit medium range shots and go into the paint and score.<\/p>\n
I wasnt nervous for one minute coming here. Sad to leave the Mount but excited to play here.<\/p>\n
After a 6-4 start, the Barons are 14-4 since the two-time first-team all-section performer ended her 30-day sit-out period for transferring.<\/p>\n
We would have been a Top 10 team anyway because we have good players in a good system, Bonita Vista coach Tristan Lamb said. Im not sure we would have been ranked No. 4 in the county.<\/p>\n
I still think we would have won this league.<\/p>\n
But having Peterson gives the Barons an added scoring threat and a better ball-handler who has maneuvered through her first two playoffs without missing a beat.<\/p>\n
I definitely have a huge mentality on the court, a Mamba mentality, Peterson said. Im trying to push myself and improve game-by-game, especially now that the playoffs are here.<\/p>\n
I knew we would have a good season. I knew what I was coming into because this group is like my sisters.<\/p>\n
The Barons have now beaten Eastlake four straight times, including an 84-35 setback on Jan. 24.<\/p>\n
Monahan is a freelance writer.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link:<\/p>\n
Talented transfer fits in nicely with Barons - The San Diego Union-Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Unlike most transfers, Sylena Peterson never felt like the new kid in school. The 5-foot-7 junior guard seems to have fit right in at Bonita Vista High after coming over from Mount Miguel following two league titles and a San Diego Section Open Division championship as well as being last seasons Player of the Year. Her arrival has turned the Barons, who finished off a third consecutive Metro Mesa League title Wednesday with a 70-30 win over visiting Eastlake in the regular-season finale, into an instant title contender. Continue reading