For Funicello, Fear Strikes Out

MISSION HILLS —  Carly Funicello felt like a small child on the first day of basketball practice during her freshman year at Alemany High.

Sure, Funicello was tall, standing 6-feet and still sprouting. But would she excel at basketball, a sport she had never played?

“I was scared,” she said. “I didn’t want to play. My mom made me play. I was afraid of everything back then.”

More than three years later, Funicello, a 6-4 senior center, has become one of the top high school players in the state.

Recruited by several Division I schools, Funicello, an all-state selection as a junior, signed with UCLA before the start of her senior year at Alemany.

Her future secured, a relaxed Funicello averaged 17.8 points and 10.9 rebounds this season while leading Alemany to a 10-0 record and a third consecutive Mission League championship. Funicello also earned a third consecutive league most valuable player award.

Funicello, who also led the Indians with averages of 3.6 steals and 3.1 blocked shots, will compete May 5 in the annual California State High School Women’s All-Star game at UC Irvine, another opportunity for her to showcase her talent. And Funicello’s future as a Bruin looks promising.

But basketball wasn’t the only factor in her decision to head to Westwood.

Funicello opted for UCLA in part because she liked the school’s child-development curriculum.

“I want to be director of a preschool,” Funicello said.

For Funicello, The Times’ Valley Player of the Year as a junior, confidence has been the key to improvement. Her career shooting percentage is 58.3; her career free-throw percentage is 61.

She is eager to further develop her skills and self-esteem at the college level.

“The more you play, the better you get,” Funicello said. “I’m looking forward to getting better.”

This time, freshman Funicello figures to be ready.

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All-Valley Girls’ Team

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Position Name School Year Height C Candace Boller Hart Jr 5-11 C Vanessa Dunn Taft Jr 5-11 C Carly Funicello Alemany Sr 6-4 F Michelle Greco Crescenta Valley So 5-10 G Lindy James Village Christian Sr 5-9 G Amirah Leonard Crescenta Valley Sr 5-8 G Bahaneh Maani Grant Sr 5-6 G Ashly Ritter Notre Dame Sr 5-7 C Kristi Rose Palmdale Sr 6-4 C Nancy Vincent Chatsworth Sr 6-1

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SECOND TEAM

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Position Name School Year Height F Monia Calhoun Taft Jr 5-9 C Samantha Fargeon North Hollywood Sr 5-9 C Lashonda Holland Reseda Sr 6-5 F Tami Jones El Camino Real Sr 5-6 C Tanya McLaughlin Canyon Sr 5-10 F Monique Nolan Palmdale Jr 5-7 C Gohar Tumanian Van Nuys Sr 5-9 F Rebecca Welch Quartz Hill Sr 5-10 C Kim Whisler Paraclete Jr 6-3 G Becky Witt Louisville Jr 5-6

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