SURPRISE – Graice Gutierrez hasn’t played a single high school basketball game yet, but expectations already await her.
After helping Arizona Charter Academy capture a middle school state championship in March, the 5-foot-3 point guard is preparing for the biggest transition of her basketball career with Willow Canyon High School.
Wildcats girls basketball coach Brandon Scholtz believes Gutierrez has the potential to become one of the program’s all-time best players.
“I fully expect her to break the scoring record here when she is done as a senior,” Scholtz said.
That’s not something most incoming freshmen hear before they’ve even started high school, but for Gutierrez, expectations have never been a problem.
“Starting high school basketball, I’m excited to make new friends on the team and keep getting better at the next level,” she said.
Cronkite News visited a recent offseason practice to chronicle Gutierrez’s transition through a photo essay.
A large group of roster hopefuls sat quietly inside the Willow Canyon gym, taking notes while Scholtz broke down offensive and defensive schemes at a recent practice.
Among the players listening closely was Gutierrez.
Whenever Willow Canyon coaches needed someone to demonstrate a drill, they often called on Gutierrez. For someone who is just entering the school’s program, she already looked comfortable.
Gutierrez said winning a middle school state championship with Arizona Charter Academy in March gave her confidence heading into high school.
“Winning a middle school state championship meant a lot because it showed how much work I put in for three years,” Gutierrez said. “I learned that hard work does pay off.”
Scholtz believes Gutierrez is ready for the challenge of high school basketball.
“We only pull a freshman up to varsity if we think they can make an immediate impact,” Scholtz said. “At the varsity level, you’re playing 18-year-olds. You’re playing adults.”
Scholtz said the biggest adjustment for young players isn’t always physical.
“A lot of it’s more mental than anything with the game,” he said. “Some freshmen pick up on that faster than others.”
He believes Gutierrez will be one of those players.
“I think she’ll be a 1,000-point scorer without question.” Scholtz said.
Gutierrez welcomes the opportunity, even as she recognizes the challenges that lie ahead.
“Something that makes me a little nervous is that now there are going to be girls who are taller, stronger and more experienced,” she said.
Despite her lack of high school experience, Gutierrez has already opened eyes at Willow Canyon.
“What stands out most about Graice is her silent leadership,” said Oscar Ramirez Jr., Gutierrez’s club coach with Wildcat Basketball Academy and Willow Canyon’s junior varsity coach. “Most of the girls she plays with look to her to score, distribute and make plays happen.”
Ramirez said Gutierrez leads by example.
“She doesn’t just show up and go through the motions,” he said. “She gives her best effort through every drill and every workout.”
Gutierrez said that same mindset has helped prepare her for the jump to high school.
“One way I’ve been preparing myself for high school basketball is by training hard every practice and taking things seriously,” she said.
That love for the game started early.
“She has grown tremendously,” her mother, Brenna Lynch said. “She started off playing with boys and that gave her an edge.”
As a single mother raising five girls, Lynch said watching her daughter prepare for high school basketball has been both exciting and nerve-racking.
“This is my first time raising a high schooler and an athlete,” Lynch said with a laugh.
More than anything, she’s proud of the person her daughter has become.
“She’s the best daughter and sister,” Lynch said. “She’s strong and smart and capable of anything.”
Her coaches believe those qualities will continue to grow on the court.
“The player she is now definitely isn’t the player she’s going to be by the end of her high school career,” Ramirez said.
Gutierrez already has a picture of the player she hopes to become.
“I hope people and my teammates see that I’m a solid ball handler and a great shooter,” she said. “A few years from now, I hope people say I’m a well-rounded player that is wise.”
Whether she’s ready or not, the next chapter of Gutierrez’s basketball journey is about to begin.
“I have very high expectations for her,” Scholtz said. “She should be up there in points, assists and steals when it’s all said and done.”
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