Colleen Garrett - Female Athlete of the Year

Carlmont High’s Colleen Garrett often had her best performances in the biggest games. The 2007-08 Daily Journal High School Girls’ Athlete of the Year, Garrett was a standout basketball and volleyball player, capable of lifting her teams to newfound heights. Even though Garrett didn’t accomplish her goals of leading the Scots’ basketball or volleyball squads to a Central Coast Section championship this past season, the recent graduate has no regrets. "We had some tough losses in CCS but I did my best,” said Garrett, who carried a 3.8 GPA in high school. "I try not to look at what could’ve been because it’s already done. All you can do is try your best and hope it works out.” In volleyball, Garrett was an outstanding middle blocker/hitter, able to pound opposing teams into submission with powerful attacks on the slide, the outside and middle of the court. Her all-around skills were evident, as she could pass from the back row and serve consistently well. She led the Scots to the CCS Division I playoff semifinals, where they blew a 13-8 lead in Game 5 and fell to San Benito. It was no fault of Garrett, who had 18 kills and six blocks. Once the volleyball season was over, Garrett was on the basketball court a couple of days later. While she struggled with inconsistency at times, the 5-foot-11 center came up big in the CCS tournament, compiling three consecutive games of 20 or more points. Still, it wasn’t enough as the Scots lost in the Division I championship game to — you guessed it — San Benito. Garrett had 15 points and five blocks against the Haybalers. In the semifinals she hit two free throws with three seconds remaining to send the game into overtime, an eventual Scots’ victory. Then in the team’s CIF NorCal game against Lowell, Garrett poured in 27 points. Carlmont girls’ basketball coach Irene Oliveira said she liked Garrett’s competitive drive. "She lives to compete and thrives on competition,” Oliveira said. "She wants the ball late in the game and there’s not too many kids you can say about that. She’s an incredible athlete who is driven to work hard. To play two varsity sports for three years at a high level, there’s a lot to be said about that.” Said Garrett: "I love taking game-winning shots. "(In the CCS game where she made the tying free throws) I told coach O that I would get fouled and get to the line. Even if I miss, I’m going to keep on taking them. I think the key to success is never giving up even when you’re doubting yourself. You have to keep pushing and fighting until you reach your goal.” And that’s exactly what Garrett did as she will get a chance to play at the Division I level. Garrett said Cal Poly San Luis-Obispo has given her a chance to be a recruited basketball walk-on. Due to internal and external pressure, Garrett was relieved that she will get a shot of playing at the college level. "When I went down to Cal Poly (and learned I would get a chance to play), the stress level went from 100 to 10,” Garrett said. "At one point I didn’t think I was going to get a chance to play in college. If I didn’t get an offer to play it would have been tough to take.” Garrett also had a chance to walk-on for UC-Santa Barbara’s volleyball team, but chose hoops instead. She figured she’s done all she can with volleyball, whereas in basketball she has yet to hit maximize her full potential. Garrett keeps on improving because she takes on better competition. Once a week she’ll play a pick-up game against the men at Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood Shores. "At first I had to prove myself but now I’m considered a regular,” she said. Garrett happens to be a great all-around high school athlete whose skills make her a tweener at the Division I level. While superior and stronger athletically than most of her peers in high school, Garrett won’t have those same advantages in college. If Garrett makes the Cal Poly squad, she’ll play the two guard or small forward position. With an ever improving-jump shot and solid fundamentals, Garrett is looking forward to the challenge. Garrett has challenged herself her entire life, and she isn’t about to stop now.