As a teenager, Karisma Lewis spent a lot time at Buena Excessive women basketball video games, on Bulldogs soccer sidelines, in any respect method of faculty occasions, that she deserved her personal uniform.
Now she has one.
Together with a starring function as a freshman on Buena’s varsity basketball group. In addition to a vibrant future and a glowing current that earmarks her as the following massive factor amongst Ventura County’s women hoops gamers.
The daughter of Melissa Lewis, a 1996 graduate of Buena who performed for legendary coach Joe Vaughan, is virtually a legacy within the Bulldogs program. She figures to forge her personal lasting imprint within the subsequent 4 years.
The 5-foot-9 combo guard tops all county scorers at a sturdy 21.6 factors per sport, together with 41 3-pointers. In any respect of 15 years outdated, Lewis says she’s finds herself in a dream scenario.
“I have been ready my complete life for this chance,” she mentioned with an enthusiastic air. “It is wonderful. I am having a lot enjoyable.”
It is thrilling for the Bulldogs, too.
“She’s actually a particular participant who performs with such pleasure and power that she will get the entire group going,” mentioned Buena head coach Trevor Payan. “We now have to recollect she’s solely a freshman. The factor we need to deal with most for her is that she has enjoyable taking part in the sport.”
No worries there.
Lewis began taking part in basketball significantly as a fifth-grader and has been pushed to search out peak kind ever since. Whereas taking part in journey ball, she joined a few all-boys groups.
She nonetheless scrimmages with Buena’s boys groups within the offseason.
“Nothing prepares you for powerful competitors than taking part in with boys who’re larger and stronger,” mentioned Lewis. “A part of the enjoyable for me is simply turning into the most effective participant I will be. There’s at all times room for enchancment.”
Apart from her mother, Lewis attracts inspiration from older brother L.J. Lewis, who overcame autism to play for the Buena soccer group. His teammates as soon as led him on a 72-yard landing.
“He means lots to me,” mentioned Lewis. “I’d go to all of the video games.”
Payan is Buena’s first-year women coach after spending 9 seasons as an assistant within the boys program. He describes Lewis as a uniquely easy and achieved shooter who additionally holds all the required intangibles.
“She’s very mature, an excellent communicator who matches proper in along with her teammates,” Payan mentioned. “She works laborious. She simply needs to get higher.”
Alongside along with her scoring prowess, Lewis averages 6.1 rebounds and a couple of.1 steals. A pure capturing guard, she’s additionally studying how one can deal with the purpose.
“It is one thing I am getting used to, however ought to make me a greater participant,” Lewis mentioned. “I’ve to get used to creating choices as to when to go and when to attain.”
Lewis has strived to construct a eager understanding of the sport.
“I really feel like my basketball IQ is one thing that helps me lots,” she mentioned. “I perceive the sport, and I attempt to be a great communicator with my teammates once we’re on the ground. It is necessary that all of us do our jobs.”
There’s one different asset that fuels the freshman. She likes to win.
“I am very decided to win,” Lewis mentioned with a chuckle. “My teammates name be a ‘canine,’ and I like that.”
Lewis’ presence is one key cause why Buena is crafting a powerful and regular season. Bulldogs stand 9-8 general and 4-3 within the uber-competitive Channel League. They’re contenders for the league crown and virtually actually will qualify for the CIF-Southern Part playoffs.
“Our massive objective is to win league,” mentioned Lewis. “We need to win league and we need to get to the playoffs. That is going to be a lot enjoyable.”
As a high journey ball youth participant, there was little doubt that Lewis can be an impression participant in highschool. But it surely’s not as straightforward as she has made it look.
In her varsity debut, Lewis and the Bulldogs opened the season on Nov. 15 with a 48-32 loss to Oaks Christian. The Lions are a tenacious defensive group that slowed down Lewis with an intense man-to-man strategy.
“I wasn’t used to that,” mentioned Lewis. “They have been double-teaming and face-guarding me. I hadn’t seen a lot of that earlier than. But it surely’s made me a greater participant. I am studying how one can higher get myself open and create photographs.”
A latest four-game stretch demonstrates her potential.
Throughout the Santa Clara Winter Basic, Lewis averaged 30.5 factors, together with a pair of 38-point outbursts in wins over Royal and Franklin.
Payan is aware of exactly what Lewis can do, however is emphasizing a sluggish and regular strategy with the prized freshman.
“As coaches, we have had that dialog,” he mentioned. “We do not need to put an excessive amount of on her plate. As an alternative of operating, say, 15 or 16 performs for her, we’re centered on 3 or 4 performs to make it easy. We need to make it straightforward for her to develop.”
Simply 16 video games into her highschool profession, Lewis can already savor a signature win. Buena defeated arch rival Ventura, 45-40, in a key league matchup on Jan. 10. Lewis led the Bulldogs with 13 factors.
“It is a lot enjoyable to play our rival and beat them,” she mentioned. “It is such an ideal rivalry. That win offers us plenty of confidence.”
Solely a freshman and Lewis is already drawing consideration from faculties. UC Santa Barbara coaches visited when Buena performed at San Marcos and Dos Pueblos. Utah and Gonzaga are among the many faculties additionally exhibiting curiosity.
“I’ve little doubt she is usually a faculty participant,” mentioned Payan. “I can not wait to see how she develops within the subsequent 4 years.”
STARRING PERFORMANCES
Lewis is not the one high participant flashing her expertise as league races warmth up.
High gamers embody: Mika Jarrett, Oxnard, G, Sr.; Kristan Yumul, Oxnard, G, Sr.; Mathis Dritz, Westlake, G/F, Fr.; Mimi Moon, Pacifica, G, So.; Haven Ramirez, Pacifica, G/F, Sr.; Jamilyn Carton, Agoura, G, Sr.; Emily Lim, Camarillo, G, Sr.; Keilani Peralta, Camarillo, G, Sr.; Skyler Knight, Ventura, G, Jr.; Sarah Beckman, F, So.; Kai Staniland, Ventura, G, Fr.; Hailey Lauritzen, Thousand Oaks, F, Fr.; Lindsay Gould, Oak Park, G, Jr.; Delaney White, Oak Park, G, Fr.; Avanthika Ramasamy, Moorpark, G, Sr.; Omanoke Okah, Oaks Christian, C, Sr.; Abrial Ramirez, Santa Clara, C/F, Sr.; Yasmin Wiggins, Santa Clara, F, Sr.; Elena Ferrara, Royal, G, Sr.; and Madilyn Stonebraker, Santa Paula, C, Fr.