Unlike most transfers, Sylena Peterson never felt like the new kid in school.

The 5-foot-7 junior guard seems to have fit right in at Bonita Vista High after coming over from Mount Miguel following two league titles and a San Diego Section Open Division championship as well as being last seasons Player of the Year.

Her arrival has turned the Barons, who finished off a third consecutive Metro Mesa League title Wednesday with a 70-30 win over visiting Eastlake in the regular-season finale, into an instant title contender.

Her game, though, has changed.

No longer does she need to have the ball in her hands all the time while initiating everything on offense.

She still scores. Her 13.9 scoring average and 6.1 rebound average are second on the Barons (20-8, 10-0).

Peterson, who scored 1,110 points in her two seasons at Mount Miguel, leads the Barons in assists (4.8) and steals (4.8).

My game is not different, just better, said Peterson, who had four points and four rebounds and even blocked a shot against Eastlake (15-13, 3-7) while Julia Cosalan led the way with 19 points. Im more like an ABC point guard now, you know I can shoot from 3-point range, hit medium range shots and go into the paint and score.

I wasnt nervous for one minute coming here. Sad to leave the Mount but excited to play here.

After a 6-4 start, the Barons are 14-4 since the two-time first-team all-section performer ended her 30-day sit-out period for transferring.

We would have been a Top 10 team anyway because we have good players in a good system, Bonita Vista coach Tristan Lamb said. Im not sure we would have been ranked No. 4 in the county.

I still think we would have won this league.

But having Peterson gives the Barons an added scoring threat and a better ball-handler who has maneuvered through her first two playoffs without missing a beat.

I definitely have a huge mentality on the court, a Mamba mentality, Peterson said. Im trying to push myself and improve game-by-game, especially now that the playoffs are here.

I knew we would have a good season. I knew what I was coming into because this group is like my sisters.

The Barons have now beaten Eastlake four straight times, including an 84-35 setback on Jan. 24.

Monahan is a freelance writer.

Link:

Talented transfer fits in nicely with Barons - The San Diego Union-Tribune