Winter Stars & Shadows: By Kelly Lozada, Lubbock Monterey HS

I clicked on the latest edition of the THSCA weekly e-newsletter, and I was reading the headlines about all the great things happening with coaches and kids across the state. It made me think about all the press and headlines I have gotten to read over the last four years as a coach at Monterey High School, home of the Plainsmen, and home of the ESPN #1 women’s basketball recruit in the country, Aailyah Chavez.

I have been the varsity volleyball coach at MHS since 2015. Basketball and volleyball at Monterey have a great relationship. We share kids, we share gym space, and our locker rooms are right next door to each other. Head basketball coach, Jill Schneider, is our coordinator, mentor, and friend. Anyway, I decided to take a few minutes to answer the question I get asked in the street, in the halls at coaching school, in the airport, and at church - Tell me about Aailyah Chavez? Is she really THAT good? Where is she going to go play?

Guys, she is REALLY T H A T good. As of this article, she has over 4400 career points! She has critics and opponents, but the truth is, the work ethic, leadership, heart, intelligence, and talent in that one is legit. I tell people all the time, we share a gym; and in all my years of knowing her, I have never once heard her say anything negative about anyone. Literally, no one. She shoots around, and I have never heard her say to someone who misses a shot, “aww you’re trash,” NOTHING. I am not saying she is Saint Aailyah, but I am saying she has brought a spotlight to our school, our community, our city, and the girls game of basketball; and she shoulders it with dignity, grace, and poise beyond what most adults could do.

So, what’s it like to operate in the shadow of such a bright star? Things here are done right. When we are in-season, Coach Schneider respects me enough, and is so professional, to ask me if it’s okay to take some of the varsity kids to practice in front of some of the biggest D1 program scouts who come through. Honestly, I could say, No, we are preparing for an important match. OR, I can look at the big picture of what is best for those particular kids. Since we have big program scouts in the gym, this is an opportunity for them to be seen. Now, maybe UT and LSU aren’t handing out offers to all the supporting players, but I know coaches talk. If they don’t have a spot for them, maybe a coach in their area is looking, and these scouts can suggest the 6’4” Johnson kid from Monterey.

I don’t want to take away any positive exposure opportunities for our kids. Even with regards to facilities, if it’s volleyball season, we keep the big gym for our practices; and the scouts and stars go to the back gym for offseason practices.

All of the local, area, and national sports outlets have done a lot to spotlight our local hero. Chavez shines across all her summer showcases, national competitions, etc. while award, after award, and banner, after banner, roll in. We get some attention and respect from local media during our season and I feel like they are fair and appropriate.

Does jealousy or envy creep in? Honestly, I am happy for our coaches, our teams, our students, our teachers, our community, and our city to get the chance to celebrate one of our own in such a big way. I used to tell my kids growing up that sometimes it’s not your day. Some days you get all the good treats and blessings and attention, some days you don’t. Right now, it’s Aailyah’s time. It’s girls’ basketball time.

At the end of the day, I believe success breeds success. I believe that when my players are in the stands and sidelines cheering for our girls or boys team success, that it makes them want more from their own experience. The want, or desire, for big goals and dreams can motivate them to push for their own flowers one day, if you will.

So standing in the shadow of the brightest star I’ve seen in my school, in my 22 years of coaching, I could shrink back in the darkest corner of that shadow and be envious or complain that the light isn’t on my sport. However, I choose to be proud of the person, celebrity, and student-athlete Chavez is. I choose to retweet the greatness, repost the accolades, and be genuinely happy for the success that came, that is, and is to come for our kids. Go Plainsmen!

P.S. I didn’t answer where she is going to play. That’s because she hasn’t announced that decision yet. As a Red Raider myself, I’d love to see her stay home. But, wherever she goes, I will be cheering for her, 100%.

Want to read the entire February 2025 issue of Texas Coach magazine? https://issuu.com/thscacoaches/docs/feb25upload?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ