FREMONT – Jazmin Bulger first received a text message from assistant coach Eddie Baptista. Then a call from head coach Juan Vela. Then came the onslaught of social media.
Ross coach Juan Vela talks to his players during a timeout.
Such is the life when you’re the first Lady Giant in a decade named first team all-conference.
Friday the Three Rivers Athletic Conference announced its all-league honors, which include Bulger being the Lady Giants’ first player recognized as a first-team selection since the conference’s inception.
“It was really exciting to find out,” Bulger said. “It felt really good, knowing all the hard work paid off. I was like, ‘Wow, that really happened.’ Of all the people in the conference and all the teams we competed with, they chose me.”
Coaching in his ninth season with the Lady Giants, Vela said Bulger is his first player to earn first-team all-conference recognition.
“With what she has done, leading the team in points and rebounds, her 3-point shot has been great this year – something she didn’t have (last year) – she played big in a lot of league games and defensively, she’s been a big threat,” Vela said. “As a coach, or as a fan, you know she has some skill and for the league coaches to vote her first team pretty highly with the votes. I think is a great honor for Jazmin and the work she’s put in.”
Bulger averaged 16 points per game this season as the Lady Giants compiled a 13-8 regular season record. Thursday she was named Division I Northwest District co-Player of the Year by the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association. She led Ross in scoring and by example. She rarely deviated from a calm and composed demeanor on the court, regardless of the score or her level of success.
Bulger wasn’t the only member of the program recognized by the TRAC.
Vela was named Coach of the Year, leading Ross to its second-straight winning season and the most wins in a season since 2001.
“It’s such an honor,” Vela said. “I think the TRAC is a very competitive, great league with some great coaches. For them to give me that award, I appreciate it a lot.
“I think our coaches have put in a lot of time and effort, our girls have put in a lot of time and effort and it shows you it takes a lot to win and to do things right,” he added. “I’m very appreciative of all the people that have helped make our basketball program better.”
However, when Vela called to congratulate Bulger on her achievement, he neglected to mention his own.
“He didn’t want to tell anybody!” Bulger said. “Someone told my mom and she told me. And I was like, ‘He never tells me about anything!
“He’s definitely a great coach. He’s bettered me as a player and bettered me as a person.”
Olivia Baptista
Brooklyn Baptista
Sisters Olivia and Brooke Baptista were also recognized by the TRAC, each earning honorable mentions as Olivia, a junior, scored 10 points per game while Brooke scored 10.2 as a freshman.
“Brooklyn was an eighth-grader, blowing out teams and she was a post player too,” Vela said. “To go the following year, to a guard in the TRAC in Division I, her having the season she did, I think that is amazing.
“Olivia barely missed second team,” he said. “Olivia being injured for most of the year (last year) and being a post player to being a guard in the TRAC, I think both of them did amazing with the transition they had from the year before.
The Baptistas also earned first-team honors from the OHSBCA while Ahlia Simms and Jasannah Sabiers were honorable mentions.
The Lady Giants kick off their postseason Saturday afternoon at Genoa High School. Ross will face Springfield in thefirst round of the sectional tournament, tipping off at 1 p.m.