At first, they didn’t even think there would be a season. Gyms were locked, schedules vanished, and practices turned into text messages, Zoom calls, and question marks. For weeks, Santa Clara’s girls basketball team had no idea if they would ever step onto a court in 2021 — and they didn’t even have a coach. And yet, just months later, they were standing at the top of the Tri-Valley League: undefeated, champions, part of a season none of them will ever forget.

This is the story of a team that began practicing in a parking lot and found its identity through uncertainty, a season built on masked practices and belief. It was a season that featured a double-overtime thriller, a perfect league run, and a playoff game that ended on a buzzer-beater. Five years removed, the Santa Clara Saints’ 2021 championship season is more than a banner in a gym; it stands as a reminder of what can happen when a group of players and a first-year head coach choose to believe.

This is how it happened.

The Season That Almost Wasn’t

Before the pandemic shutdown, the Saints were coming off a 16–9 season and building real momentum heading into 2020–2021. They had a strong roster, talented underclassmen pushing the pace, and key seniors Sofia Maldonado and Maddyson White ready to finish their careers on a high note. Expectations were rising, the team chemistry was strong, and the future felt wide open. Then the world stopped.

As summer dragged on, uncertainty grew with it. Workouts were canceled, then rescheduled, then canceled again. Players trained alone, some running drills in backyards or local gyms, others improvising conditioning programs at home. Every day brought a new question mark. For a long stretch, Santa Clara had a roster — but no head coach, no system, and no direction.

Team captain and league MVP Sofia Maldonado, who later shared her experience in a 2021 Sports Illustrated feature, put it simply:

“Even if basketball came back, we didn’t know if we would have a season. There was a long time during the summer when we didn’t have a coach, and we didn’t know when we’d get one.”

For Captain Maddyson White, the pause was intensely personal:

“All I wanted was to be able to say I had that senior season, being I had worked so hard my whole life to build on my game.”

And amid all that chaos, the program was on the brink of needing someone to step in. Little did the Saints know, that person was about to arrive.

Coach Nick Kindel Takes the Helm as Next Head Coach

When Santa Clara lost its previous coach and staff due to the pandemic, the school faced a critical search for new leadership. With a rich basketball tradition to uphold, they needed someone capable of guiding the program through uncertain times. They found that in Nick Kindel. A proven leader, Kindel had previously served as Assistant Varsity Coach and Head Junior Varsity Coach at Granada Hills Charter, where he helped transform the program into one of Southern California’s top-tier teams. At the time, Kindel felt ready to take on a program of his own.

“Once I went on the CIF SS website and saw that the Santa Clara girls basketball job was open, I knew I had to apply because of the rich history of basketball at the school,” Kindel recalls.

Once hired, Kindel knew he faced a formidable challenge. Stepping into a program as a new head coach is always difficult, but rebuilding a culture, earning the players’ trust, and doing it all in the middle of a pandemic was unlike any other situation. Adding to the challenge, Kindel commuted daily from the San Fernando Valley in Northridge to Oxnard, a drive of nearly two hours each way, showing the team just how committed he was to making this season work.

At first, practices were over Zoom because all the gyms were closed and no one was allowed on campus. On the challenges of this unusual start, Kindel explains:

“Being a new coach, the main goal during this time was to gain everyone’s trust. I used our Zoom calls to truly just get to know the kids. We did a lot of team-building through Zoom, and once I built their trust and got to know them, I added workouts.”

The girls were given a detailed workout list, which included filming themselves getting shots up, completing ball-handling drills, and performing weight-room exercises. Kindel recalls the moment the team’s commitment ignited his excitement:

“Once I saw that everyone on the team was taking this seriously and actually doing the workouts that were told, it got me fired up for a possible season ahead.”

Team captain Sofia Maldonado reflected on Kindel’s arrival:

“His vibe from the beginning was great. It felt like everything will work out fine, and he will push us to be the best that we can be. And it turned out awesome.”

For senior Maddyson White:

“I think Coach Kindel earned my trust simply by showing up and being consistent. When I reached out ready to work, he was receptive and said, ‘Let’s go, let’s get started.’ That open communication continued all season and helped us come together as a team.”

Sophomore center Yazmin Wiggins added:

“Coach Kindel earned our trust by showing us that everything doesn’t have to be serious all the time. There is a time and place for everything.”

Through Zoom calls, individualized workouts, and consistent communication, Kindel laid the foundation for a culture of trust and accountability before the team set foot on the court.

The Parking Lot Practices

Even as California remained locked down, outdoor practices were permitted under modified guidelines. With gyms closed and no official games on the horizon, Nick Kindel and his players had to get creative.

“I remember getting that text message from our Athletic Director, Johnathan Henricksen — who was a fantastic AD — telling us that we were allowed to practice, but only outside.”

Santa Clara High School in Oxnard didn’t have any outdoor basketball courts. Undeterred, Kindel got creative. He told senior leaders Maddyson White and Sofia Maldonado to reach out to anyone interested in practicing outdoors.

“Our first official outdoor practice was exciting for everyone. We were able to start coming together as a team and meeting in person,” Kindel recalls.

What he immediately noticed was that the 2021 Saints had a lot of size and speed: Maddyson White, Abrial Ramirez, Yazmin Wiggins, the Maldonado sisters, Amanda Flores, and others.

Because they were starting in a parking lot, Kindel focused on defense.

“Since we were only able to practice in a parking lot to start, and I saw the type of team we had, I made sure our focus was going to be on defense.”

Defense isn’t always glamorous — but this group embraced it.

Sofia Maldonado credited that emphasis:

“Coach Nick was a big part of why my defense got better. I stopped getting into foul trouble. And our strong defense led to easier offense.”

The chemistry forged in a parking lot became the backbone of a team preparing for something bigger.

The Balance of a Pandemic Season

By March, Ventura County reached the Yellow Tier, and high school basketball was cleared to be played indoors.

Girls basketball would now be played in the spring. Softball was also in season at the same time. More than half of the Saints roster also played softball, including six of the seven players in the main rotation. All five starters balanced both sports simultaneously.

Coach Kindel recalls:

“This was a very unique situation, but the softball coach and I wanted what was best for the kids.”

Practices were capped at 90 minutes. On basketball game days there were no softball activities — and vice versa.

The shortened league schedule became a gauntlet centered around St. Bonaventure, Foothill Tech, and Santa Clara.

March 19, 2021 — The Return

On March 15, Coach Kindel got the call: basketball was back. The season would begin in four days.

After months of Zoom workouts and parking lot practices, the Saints were stepping onto a real court again.

The first game was against eventual Frontier League Champion La Reina High School.

The Saints came out swinging, with Ariana Maldonado knocking down a 3-pointer to start the season — marking the first points of her varsity career.

Santa Clara won 55–40. Yazmin Wiggins led all scorers with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Sofia Maldonado added 14 points and three steals. Ariana finished with nine points on three three-pointers.

They started 3–0 and finished non-league 5–2. Across those games, the Saints held opponents to an average of just 26 points per game.

With league play looming, Santa Clara was ready.

Tri-Valley League Opener: Double-Overtime Thriller at Foothill Tech

The Saints traveled to Foothill Tech for a double-overtime showdown.

Trailing 22–18 in the second half, the offense struggled. Sofia Maldonado sparked the comeback with 10 second-half points. Amanda Flores contributed key shots and charges. Maddyson White hit clutch baskets.

The score was tied 36–36 at the end of regulation.

In the second overtime, Sofia scored four straight points off steals and fast-break layups, sealing a 44–41 victory.

Rivalry Rematch: Saints vs. Seraphs

The Saints defeated St. Bonaventure 41–23 in the first meeting.

Days later, they faced a rematch on the road.

“We spent most of our time working on our press break,” Kindel said.

The Maldonado sisters took over. Ariana knocked down four threes for 12 points. Sofia added 12. Abrial Ramirez grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 9.

Santa Clara won 49–32, clinching at least a share of the league championship.

Senior Night: An Outright League Title

Senior Night brought a chance to complete an undefeated league season and claim the outright title and their first undefeated league title since 2011.

At halftime, Santa Clara trailed 16–13.

“Our halftime talks were always about making adjustments,” Kindel said.

Sofia entered the fourth quarter with 15 points. Maddyson White, who had made only two three-pointers combined across her first three varsity seasons, caught fire.

She scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, knocking down four three-pointers.

Santa Clara won 36–22, securing an undefeated Tri-Valley League Championship — their first outright title since 2016.

“I was stuck in my head all game,” White said. “Coach Kindel kept telling me to keep shooting.”

Now, it was time for the playoffs.

The Final Buzzer: Playoff Run Comes Up Short

The Saints entered the CIF Southern Section Division 3A playoffs as the sixth seed, hosting 11th-seeded Pasadena Polytechnic.

With 15 seconds remaining, the score was tied 40–40.

Pasadena Polytechnic executed a skip pass. Sammie Yen released a three-pointer at the buzzer — nothing but net.

Santa Clara’s season ended, 43–40.

“I remember the second it left her hand, I knew it was in,” Kindel said.

Yazmin Wiggins led the team with 18 points.

2021 Legacy: Tri-Valley Recognition

The Saints won the 16th league title in school history, the fourth Tri-Valley League title overall, and the second undefeated Tri-Valley League title.

They finished 8–3 overall and 4–0 in league play.

Sofia Maldonado was named Tri-County Athletic Association and Tri-Valley League Most Valuable Player. Ariana Maldonado, Yazmin Wiggins, and Maddyson White earned First Team honors. Amanda Flores and Abrial Ramirez earned Second Team recognition. Nick Kindel was named Coach of the Year.

“He may have not spent a lot of time at Santa Clara, but he has a Tri-Valley League Champs banner with all of us,” White said.

“Winning the Tri-Valley League wasn’t just an individual accomplishment — it was a team achievement.”

For Yazmin Wiggins:

“Coach Kindel guided us through an uncertain season with the perfect balance. His legacy is tied to how he led us through a season that almost didn’t happen.”