Loss fuels Fanaika's passion

Not again, Fanaika thought. Isn't one enough? Yet the passing of two of the most beloved figures in Fanaika's life has driven her like nothing ever could.

"I know my grandma would want me to work hard and be the best I can be," Fanaika said. "And Kelly pushed you to another level. They definitely motivate me when I'm on the basketball court."

It's only appropriate that Fanaika has drawn motivation from her losses because her play this season has been downright inspiring. A four-year varsity starter, Fanaika has elevated her game — along with her team — to newfound heights. The Vikings clinched a co-championship with Aragon in the Peninsula Athletic League South Division after an 84-42 win over Capuchino on Friday.

Fanaika scored a game-high 30 points — the fourth time she's scored 30 or more this season — and also produced seven steals in basketball version's of The Battle of the Strip. She also added 23 points in a 58-45 win over Carlmont last Wednesday. For her efforts, Fanaika is the San Mateo Daily Journal's Athlete of the Week. The standout 5-foot-9-inch guard/forward/center — Fanaika can play any position on the court — is averaging 20.8 points per game and has converted 70 3-pointers this season.

"Lavinia has all the skills to be a Division I player," Mills coach Dan Salvemini said. "She's one of the best players I've ever seen and is a leader with all the intangibles. She keeps the team focused but can also joke around and keep them loose when appropriate. She's kind of the quarterback of the whole show. She senses the direction of the game and knows when to speed up or slow down. And most of all, she doesn't shy away from the big moments."

Instead, Fanaika welcomes so-called "pressure" situations with open arms. In the team's biggest win of the year, a 75-69 victory over Aragon on Jan. 28, Fanaika scored 23 points, eight of which came in the final 4:25 as the Vikings outscored the Dons 23-13 in the decisive fourth quarter. The tour de force was even more impressive given the fact that Fanaika had struggled mightily in the third quarter, committing three turnovers and forcing a couple of bad shots.

"I grew up with a mentality that losing was not OK," Fanaika said. "Winning is definitely something you look forward to and something to build on to make you become a better player."

Fanaika grew up with two older brothers, Manase and Paul, along with twin brother Andrew. She teamed up with Manase and played countless 2-on-2 games against Andrew and Paul, and the outcome always seemed to come down to a last shot. It was in this environment — playing against bigger, stronger individuals — that nurtured Fanaika to the success she enjoys today.

"My brothers were tough on me," she said. "They gave me tough love and didn't treat me like a girl."

From her parents Fanaika received genes of athletic greatness. Her dad, Sunia, played professional rugby in Australia, and her mom, Tina, played basketball at Capuchino and then at Skyline College. It was apparent early on that Fanaika had the talent to succeed in any sport she played. At 11, she was the only girl on her dad's South San Francisco Bronco Razorbacks baseball team, playing two years as a pitcher and outfielder and more than holding her own.

"I was one of two girls in that league and it was definitely hard," Fanaika said.

Fanaika has no such difficulties on the hardwood. When she gets on a roll, Fanaika is unstoppable. She's deadly from beyond the arc, can dribble-drive with the best of them and has tremendous instincts and vision, which accounts for the healthy dose of steals and assists she produces in every game. She doesn't so much as run on the court as glide — in two steps she travels as far as most do in three or more. Division I colleges are finally taking notice, with Santa Clara, USF, Arizona State and Washington State expressing interest.

Whether or not she receives a scholarship remains to be seen, but Fanaika will be playing basketball somewhere next year. She's worked too hard not to play at the next level, and more importantly, has what it takes physically and mentally to excel even in the toughest of situations. No matter what happens, whenever things get hard, all Fanaika has to do is remember the pain she felt when she lost her grandma and former coach.

"Each minute I'm out there I'm playing for them," Fanaika said.

And making them proud.