FULLERTON — In a challenging matchup at the Kay Yow Showcase on January 21, 2024, Fairmont Prep’s girls basketball team faced off against the formidable Archbishop Mitty from San Jose. Despite a final score of 80-45 in favor of Archbishop Mitty, freshman Aaliyah Mack emerged as a standout performer for Fairmont Prep.
Mack, a 6-foot-3 center, showcased her skills against a nationally recognized opponent, competing directly with Iowa-bound senior McKenna Woliczko. The game highlighted Mack’s tenacity, as she scored 11 points, secured a team-high eight rebounds, and recorded two blocks, one of which came against Woliczko early in the first quarter.
“She’s up for the battle,” said Fairmont Prep coach Josh Lozano. “She’s gone against the best bigs in the country all season long. Now, it’s building a habit of her showing up like that every game.”
Although Woliczko is ranked as the sixth-best senior player in the nation by ESPN, Mack remained undaunted. “I knew she was good but I wasn’t really intimidated,” Mack said. “Today it really showed. I am confident.”
Fairmont Prep started strong, scoring the first five points of the game, but Archbishop Mitty quickly responded with a 17-0 run, taking control with an impressive offensive display. The Monarchs, who have a record of 12-1 and are ranked No. 3 nationally by MaxPreps, hit five three-pointers in the first quarter, leading 26-9 at the end of the frame.
The second quarter saw Archbishop Mitty extend their lead, scoring the first nine points and ending the first half with a commanding 46-16 advantage. With this victory, the Monarchs prepared for a significant matchup against the top-ranked Ontario Christian on January 22 at Mater Dei.
For Fairmont Prep, the experience of facing such high-level competition is not new. The Huskies, currently ranked No. 2 in Orange County, have played against various elite teams, including Ontario Christian, whom they are set to host on January 23. “I’m not here to rack up a million wins,” Coach Lozano emphasized. “I’m here to get the kids better and ready for the next level.”
Mack, who relocated from Arizona to attend Fairmont Prep, shared her thoughts on adapting to the high school level of play. “It was definitely very hard in the beginning because I didn’t really know what to expect,” she admitted. “But throughout the season, I’m really getting the feel of it.”
In addition to Mack’s contributions, Fairmont Prep’s scoring was led by Lesina Afu, who tallied 16 points, including two three-pointers. Teammates Adyra Rajan and Sarah Aldeguer, both committed to prestigious universities (Harvard and Princeton, respectively), each added nine points. The Huskies played without Mathis Dritz, a Columbia commit, due to an ankle injury.
Mack reflected on her team’s focus as they continue to develop their cohesion: “Right now, we’re working on playing together and really using our pieces.”
For Archbishop Mitty, Woliczko led the scoring with 14 points, showcasing her skills with nine points in a remarkable third-quarter burst. Teammate Ze’ni Patterson also contributed 14 points. The Monarchs’ bench proved to be a significant advantage, outscoring Fairmont Prep’s reserves 29-0.
The Kay Yow Showcase featured several other notable games, including Rosary’s 53-44 victory over King/Drew, where Kate Duarte starred with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Mater Dei defeated Caruthers 56-40, thanks to Marissa Bishop and Harmony Golightly, who scored 16 and 15 points, respectively. Etiwanda triumphed over Villa Park 69-49, with Olivia Sturdivant leading the Eagles with 16 points.
As the showcase continues, the spotlight remains on emerging talents like Aaliyah Mack, whose performance against Archbishop Mitty underscores her potential to make a significant impact in the world of high school basketball.
