Melizza Benitez

School: El Modena High

Sport: Basketball

Position: Forward

Class: Senior

There’s no overstating the importance of Benitez to the Vanguards. At 5 feet 10, she leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Tuesday, Benitez had 24 points, nine rebounds, four steals and four blocks in a 55-44 Century League victory over Canyon. Three of the blocks were of shots taken by Erin Waggoner, who was the league’s most valuable player last season. Benitez held Waggoner to six points, more than 10 points below her average. Benitez also made both of the three-point shots she tried, giving her three three-pointers in four attempts this season. Thursday, Benitez had seven points and 10 rebounds as the Vanguards beat Orange, 57-31, to win their sixth consecutive game. Benitez left the game late in the third quarter.

Other top performers:

Kim Campbell, whose five goals in Canyon’s 9-0 soccer victory over Santa Ana Valley gave her 37 for the season, one more than her single-season school record.

Olivia DiCamilli, who had 24 points and 11 rebounds in Costa Mesa’s 58-49 victory over Estancia and 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 72-33 victory over Laguna Hills.

Jessica Eggleston, who averaged 18.5 points and 15.5 rebounds for Cypress in Empire League victories over El Dorado and Loara.

Genevieve Evarts, who scored 20 points as Newport Harbor defeated Tustin, 49-46, becoming the first Sea View League basketball team to beat the Tillers since 1989.