St. Joseph's go-to girl - San Diego Sol Basketball

St. Joseph senior Sophie Delgado averaged 20.4 points a game as a freshman, 20.3 as a sophomore, 21.4 as a junior and 20.7 this season.

SAN MARCOS — From the time she stepped on the tiny San Marcos campus, a school with 62 students, Sophie Delgado has been the go-to person on the St. Joseph Academy girls basketball team.

She averaged 20.4 points a game as a freshman, 20.3 as a sophomore, 21.4 as a junior and 20.7 this season on a team that is 11-3.

She has 1,183 career points, 293 career rebounds, 257 steals and 207 assists.

“Sophie does so much more for this team than what shows up in the box score,” said St. Joseph coach Kevin Allen. “She’s a fantastic scorer, but she’s also a great leader.

“Her maturity is through the roof. She helps the young girls on the team.

“She’s a great decision-maker and she trusts her teammates.”

Asked how good Delgado really is and how legitimate her numbers are, Allen was quick to respond.

“She could have gone to any of the big schools and she would be a starter,” he said.

Q: How did you choose to attend St. Joseph?

A: We moved to San Diego when I was in the fifth grade, and I started going to school here. I liked it, so my parents decided it would be good for me to stay.

Q: Where would you be going to public school?

A: We live in Escondido, so I guess Escondido, San Pasqual or Orange Glen.

Q: Have you wondered what life would be like at a big, public school?

A: At times, yes. I imagine we’d be playing better teams in basketball. I don’t think I’d be good enough to play volleyball at a big school. I don’t know if I’d have the friendships I have here. The people at this school are like family.

Q: Is that what you like best about St. Joseph?

A: Yes. The friendships are special. We’re all close with our teachers. If you’re struggling, you get the attention you need. The coaches are right down the hall if there is a problem. It’s a tight-knit group.

Q: Has basketball always been your No. 1 sport?

A: Definitely. I play volleyball because we’re a small school and they need me. And I ran track for a year, but basketball is my sport.

Q: Do you have a basketball roll model?

A: My sister Victoria played at the University of Dallas. She inspired me. I’m the youngest in the family and I was always encouraged to be the best I could be, no matter what I did. But my sister motivated me to work hard.

Q: You don’t have a gym on campus. What’s it like practicing and playing off campus?

A: It has been hard, but you do what you need to do. It’s tough not having a regular schedule.

Q: You practice a lot at Corky Smith Gym, but you have to use the outside courts on campus at times. What’s that like?

A: Sometimes we practice at 6:30 in the morning at Corky Smith. Once a week or so, we practice outside. That’s tough because the grammar school kids are running around.

Q: And if it’s raining?

A: We go inside and watch film.

Q: What part of your game do you feel is the best?

A: I like to pass. I love leading a fast break. I love my roll as the point guard. I’ve played the point as long as I’ve played. I’ve always been a leader, not a follower. It’s just who I am.

Q: What part of your game needs the most work?

A: Quickness. I’m fast, but I could be faster.

Q: How important is the academic side of school?

A: Very important. I want to be a well-rounded person, so I need to keep my grades up. I have a 3.5 GPA taking college courses, so I think I’m OK. I’d like to get into the medical field, nursing or sports medicine.

Q: Did you guys set goals as a team this season?

A: We want to win the Citrus League. We want to win as many games as we can. The Division V playoffs are a definite goal.

Q: Has it hit you that your senior season is coming to a close?

A: Not yet. I see other teams on Senior Night and it’s so weird. That can’t be me.

Q: What about college? Do you want to keep playing?

A: Basketball is such a big part of my life. I don’t want to stop playing. A lot depends if there is scholarship money. I visited the University of Dallas in November and they were very welcoming. I’ve applied to Cal State San Marcos. And I’ll send them my film. Hopefully something works out.

Sophie Delgado

School: St. Joseph Academy.

Born: 1995 in Vallejo.

Year: Senior.

Sports: Volleyball and basketball.

Accomplishments: Three-year all-leaguer in basketball.

Quick hits

Favorite gym: Guajome Park Academy because I always play well there.

Least favorite gym: Escondido Adventist Academy. It’s really nice, but whether it’s volleyball or basketball, I don’t seem to play well there.

Favorite shot: Top-of-key 3-pointer, and dribble-drive, stop jumper.

Favorite food: Chinese.

Favorite restaurant: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. Their Pizookie is my weak spot.