With a 2023-2024 regular season featuring a 3-14 record and a slew of young first-time players, last year was considered a rebuilding and retooling year for the Coronado Islanders girls’ basketball program.

However, in 2024, while the team remains young, the hope and expectation around this year’s team will be a solid step forward for the program. And on Friday night, that idea of progress was validated, with the Lady Islanders picking up their season-opening win on the road, taking down Southwest High School by the final of 36-33.

“With the mix of the new girls we have this season with some of the returning players coming back from last year’s team, I think this a really solid and talented group,” said Islanders Head Coach John Coolidge.

The Islanders would control the first half of action, outscoring Southwest 23-8. Last season, the Islanders saw a limited offensive team due to a lack of shooters and players who could impact under the rim. Coronado has seemingly solved both issues with the addition of freshmen Emily Albin and Gabby Fichter.

The five-foot-six guard Fichter would collect a team-high and game-high 16 points in the win to go along with her five boards and two steals.

As for Albin, the freshman would use her five-foot-eleven size and elite athleticism to help the Islanders control the glass as she came away with a team-high six rebounds to go along with seven points. Her impact on defense was also greatly felt as she registered three blocks in the win.

“Southwest wanted to try to trap, but we kind of walked the ball up on them because of how well Gabby can handle the ball. So that man-to-man won’t work,” noted Coolidge. “As for Emily, she is such an exceptional athlete. Not only does she have length, but she has great speed and can really run the floor. She also brings a winning attitude and confidence to this team.”

Coronado would also get big efforts from the other starters, as Charlie Reyman and Akenna Thornton would both log five points and two rebounds, and Alina Molina added three points.

“Charlie, because of the depth and talent, will be playing in her natural position this season,” commented Coolidge.

“Last year, we had to move her around and have her play at the three. She did a great job of driving to the basket and getting to the free-throw line. That is going to be the biggest thing this year, which is that girls are going to get to play their natural position.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Coronado would continue to be an aggressive unit that consistently looked for steals. Leading that defensive effort would be Alyssa McWilliams, as the senior guard would come away with three of the team’s combined nine steals.

The win over Southwest, while just one win, does feel like a bit of a building block, a proving ground to this group that they can win and win close games. It is something that Coolidge hopes his team can feed and build off of.

“I think we are going to surprise some people this season,” said Coolidge. “I keep telling these girls they are the future, and we are trying to get the program back to where it once was.”

The Islanders will return to action on Tuesday, November 26th, against Castle Park High School, where they will look to collect their second win of the year.