LAKEPORT — Kaila Sterbank set four single-season batting records as the standout junior shortstop for the Clear Lake High School softball team. The junior also distinguished herself on the soccer field and basketball court.
The three-sport standout for the Cardinals during the recently completed 2007-08 sports season is the Lake County Record-Bee Athlete of the Year runner-up for girls” sports.
Sterbank, one of the key components of Clear Lake”s 27-0 North Coast Section Class A championship softball team in 2007, picked up right where she left off, even if her own personal success didn”t always translate into the win-loss column for the Cardinals, who still finished a very respectable 17-8 in 2008, including another trip to the playoffs.
Sterbank”s bat stayed hot nearly the entire season as she set school records for most hits in a season (43), most runs (49), batting average (.614) and on-base percentage (.719). She also tied the single-season record for most triples (6).
“Kaila ranks right up there with the best of any of the shortstops I”ve had,” Clear Lake coach Gary Pickle said. “She does things I haven”t had anyone else do on this team. I still can”t believe she scored so many runs.”
Sterbank, who is every bit as capable in the field as she is at the plate, was named to the All-North Central League I South first team and even received MVP consideration despite the Cardinals” third-place finish in the standings.
Would it be possible for Sterbank to have a better senior season in 2009?
“You could have a better year and not have the statistics she had this year,” Pickle said. “One thing she could improve on is hitting for a little more power. The top teams really packed it in on her this year. She needs to hit the ball over their heads.”
On the basketball court, Sterbank averaged a team-best 11.7 points a game for the Cardinals during a 4-20 campaign. She was Clear Lake”s lone selection on the All-League first team.
“She”s the type of player who plays just like she practices, hard,” Clear Lake coach Jen Goff said. “She”s a leader on the court, a leader academically. She always does what is asked of her.”
Sterbank secured second-team honors in the fall as Clear Lake”s soccer team reached the semifinals of the North Coast Section Class A playoffs. A forward, Sterbank wasn”t among the team leaders in goals or assists although she could have been if she wasn”t so unselfish, according to Clear Lake coach Paul Larrea.
“She”s unselfish to a fault and is more concerned about getting the ball to others,” Larrea said. “I think she has a great athletic sense regardless of the sport she”s playing.”
All three of her coaches noted one other thing about Sterbank.
“She never misses a practice,” Larrea said. “A straw that stirs the drink … that”s what she is for us. She”s a great, great kid.”
