Miller goes out in style

Rick Devereux

Newport Harbor High senior Vanessa Miller made the most of her

experience as a member of the South Orange County All-Star basketball

team.

The 5-foot-6 guard started the game and was selected to compete in

the three-point shooting contest at the half.

“I remember coming to watch the game as a sophomore,” Miller said.

“I didn’t think I would ever play in the game because I thought those

players were so good.”

She not only made the roster, Miller was a key contributor in the

South’s 65-56 victory.

Miller scored four points and was active in grabbing rebounds and

played tough defense.

“Vanessa is really underrated,” South Coach Robert Morgan from

Saddleback High said. “She has a great outside shot, is tough enough

to take it to the hole and is willing to do the physical stuff

underneath for the team.”

Miller took the first shot for the South and grabbed the team’s

first rebound. Her layup on a loose ball were the South’s first

points.

Miller, who will play for Dominican in Northern California next

season, came in second in the three-point contest despite making more

long balls than any other competitor.

Miller sank nine treys in the first round and four in the

shoot-out against the North’s Cristina Figueroa from Fullerton High.

Figueroa made seven threes in the first round and six in the

shootout. Miller and Figueroa did not carry over the number of

buckets from the first round into the final.

Sage Hill School’s Katie Puishys was on the South team but did not

play due to a broken hand she suffered when she was hit by a pitch in

softball.

“This is tough [to watch and not play] because this would have

been my last high school basketball game,” she said. “It was still a

great experience.”