Valley Christian (Dublin) has gone 58-8 over the past two seasons while being undefeated in the Bay Area Counties (East) League as well. A big reason for the Lady Vikings success has been the play of their 2016 prospect Nina Bessolo.
The two-year varsity starter helped key last season's league tournament title and the team's run to the Northern California quarterfinals. Bessolo primarily plays as forward on her high school team but her 6-foot-0 and 140 pound frame projects her to be a college level wing. That versatility allowed her to average 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game last year.
During the previous decade, the Lady Vikings were consistent losers on the hardcourt. But this decade has been different, as the team has transitioned from Coach Scott Babinat to Coach Jeff Gadd. Babinat, who coached Bessolo during her first two years says, "Nina is a very good athlete with length. She reads the lanes well on the break and can either fill the lane or direct the break with good finishing skills. She is also able to play inside and outside. As her coach, I had to use her more in the post, but she is fully capable of hitting the outside shots and drive well from the wing, which will be more of her position in college. Her greatest strengths on defense are her rebounding and shot blocking ability - very good timing."
Height and size does not vary in the women's game as much as it does in the men's game. As a result, being versatile and having multiple skills are highly desired in the women's game. Bessolo models her game after Candice Wiggins because the former Stanford Cardinal was apt with her outside shooting and ability to drive to the basket. Similarly, Bessolo is trying to develop a versatile game by finishing with finesse or power.
These qualities in Bessolo have led her to being in contact with Colgate (Justin Paluch), Cornell, Portland (Brianna Chambers) and UC Davis (Jennifer Gross). Even though it is early for her recruiting, she had taken an unofficial visit to UC Davis and liked what she saw. She wants to play for a team where the coach can utilize her size and skills as a freshman. Bessolo sports a 3.25 GPA and is undecided about her college major.
Coach Babinat says, "I know she is getting looks since early last year. She has been playing out of position in high school for what she would play in college, but she is versatile enough to make this transition. She does need to get stronger physically for the college game. She definitely has the ability to compete well at the D-1 level on down."
During the past high school summers, this junior has been playing for her Palo Alto Midnight club where she honed her dribbling, ball-handling, and hesitation moves to help her be a greater offensive threat. In addition, she competes on the high school track and field team primarily in the middle distance running and in the long jump events. Bessolo has been playing basketball since the first grade and considers this sport to be her only college level goal.
Those efforts will slowly transition to her on the court performance as well. Babinat says, "Nina's on court demeanor is quiet. She has been surrounded by older players on the team. So, she has not had to be assertive verbally. As a junior, she could probably start to exercise more assertiveness there, but she has been able to dominate play on the court without being loud."
For many Bay Area, Chicago, and New York City basketball fans, the Bessolo name should sound familiar. Bessolo's uncle is Randy Bessolo who played high school basketball in Southern California for Thacher High, played collegiately at Columbia, coached the high school circuit in Chicago, and is currently coaching at University High in San Francisco.
In addition, Bessolo's parents competed at the collegiate level at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon. Her father, Jim, played basketball as a guard and forward while her mother, Nicole, competed in track. As a result, her parental influence has carried on in the sports that she competes currently in high school.
This Lady Viking wants to play harder and smarter while focusing on rebounding and boxing out during her junior season. She hopes all her efforts will help Valley Christian make a run to state. Watch for Bessolo to strive to be the best in the upcoming season in Dublin, Calif.
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