Garrett Has Been in Own Universe

LA CRESCENTA —  Don’t accuse Sinnamonn Garrett of setting simple goals.

“I don’t like to settle,” she said. “I would want to be named to the All-Planet team, if they had one.”

In recent weeks, Garrett’s numbers for the Crescenta Valley High girls’ basketball team have been almost out of this world.

In her last six games, she has averaged 22.7 points and led the Falcons to five victories and a second-place finish in the Pacific League.

Crescenta Valley (16-9) hosts Palmdale (14-13) tonight in a first-round game of the Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs.

The postseason has been a painful time for Crescenta Valley.

The Falcons squandered a fourth quarter lead and lost to Buena in the division final when Garrett was a freshman. Her sophomore season ended when an El Toro player made a shot at the buzzer to oust top-seeded Crescenta Valley in the quarterfinals.

Last year, it was an upset loss to Santa Barbara in the first round.

The 5-foot-10 swing player, who has committed to New Mexico State, has survived the upsets, gadget defenses designed to stop her and a tumultuous program that has seen off-court scandal and three coaches during her career.

But Garrett has stayed focused.

“You have to go out and play, no matter what the circumstances are,” she said. “You can’t use any of that as an excuse.”

Coach Allen Freemon credits Garrett and senior Laura Zerebko, another four-year varsity player, with keeping the program on an even keel.

“They’ve run the gamut, but still been stabilizing forces for this team,” he said. “Sinnamonn sees the big picture. When we’ve had tough losses, she has recognized that we need not dwell on it. When we’re doing well, she looks to see where there’s room for improvement.”

Garrett is rarely satisfied with her own play, although it has improved in so many areas that she has become one of the most versatile players in the region.

Need a big rebound? Garrett is usually there. A big basket? Garrett. Clutch steal? Garrett.

When she arrived at Crescenta Valley, Garrett was strictly a forward. This season, she has played every position, including shooting guard, her likely position in college.

Garrett is among the region leaders in almost every category, averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.6 steals, while making 41 three-point baskets.

“She’s multidimensional and can do it all,” Freemon said of Garrett, who has 1,611 points and 925 rebounds in her career. “I’ve seen a lot of players this year and I have yet to see anyone who can touch her, as far as slowing her ability to get to the basket.

“She’s more athletic than anyone we’ve seen. Not even close.”

That ability has put her on All-Valley, All-Southern Section and the state’s all-junior teams.

Now, about that all-planet team. . . .

“I know that when I get to college all the accolades will mean nothing,” she said. “Nobody’s going to care. It’s another universe and you have to start over.”