Girls Basketball:

Don’t let her youth or smile fool you, Melissa Sanchez is a feisty competitor, and someone that doesn’t back down from a challenge.

When she was just 27 years old, Sanchez took over the Pasadena girls basketball program.

And while the Bulldogs had some success and talent, they couldn’t seem to get over the hump.

In just her second season on the job, however, Sanchez led PHS to its first Pacific League championship in 14 years.

And the Bulldogs went 7-0 in league last year during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.

Her connection with the players was obvious, and they bought into the system, because Sanchez put in the time and earned both the trust and respect of the PHS roster.

It is for those reasons and more that made it bittersweet for Sanchez to announce that she has been hired as an assistant at Cal Lutheran University.

Her dreams of coaching at the collegiate level have already been reached at the age of 30.

And while she won’t be on the PHS sideline, Sanchez still intends to keep in touch with the program and offer up any help she can.

Freedom McCullough, who was on the Bulldogs bench with Sanchez, will take over the head coaching duties.

Sanchez actually served as McCullough’s assistant at La Salle several years ago.

Melissa leaves PHS humbled, proud and appreciative for trusting her with the program.

Said Melissa Sanchez: “As I move forward with my coaching career, I will always be thankful to the people at Pasadena for giving me my first job as a head coach. The support I got, and the lessons I learned are things I’ll take with me for the rest of my career and my life. I also want to thank the players for their dedication and sacrifice. Without them, this opportunity would not have been possible.”

Quotable:

Pasadena boys basketball coach, Tony Brooks: “It was apparent right away that Coach Melissa Sanchez was the coach that Pasadena girls basketball needed in order to get the most out of the talent that was already in place. The team had some success in years prior, but had underachieved for a couple of years. Coach Sanchez not only brought in the discipline that was needed, but she also showed quickly that she herself was a ‘gym rat.’ She has a great passion for the game and is certainly a student of the game. It was not unusual in the offseason to find Coach Melissa working individually in the gym with each of her players. Working on the fundamentals and all aspects of the game, the girls quickly realized that she cared enough about them to spend the extra time necessary to develop to their full potential.

The culture quickly changed as she instilled in each of her girls the work that was necessary to be successful. From then on, she facilitated their success with love and care in their personal lives, monitoring and supporting their academic progress and bringing high expectations in their basketball journey. Coach Sanchez understands what it takes to be successful and lives that process everyday. She is an X’s and O’s person, but also understands the nuances and intangibles that are also necessary to coach a successful program. She leads by a great example to her girls and all coaches that know her. I knew early on her aspirations to coach at the college level and it would be just a matter of time before that goal would be realized. Because of her influence, there are numerous players of hers that are headed for great success at the college level. It will not surprise me when I hear that she is continuing her coaching climb to higher levels. We all wish her well and continued success.”

PHS senior, Olivia Hodges: “When walking into coaches basketball program at Pasadena, I had zero to no confidence, especially coming from a totally different basketball system. She taught me things I never thought I could do on the court and made my confidence so much better on and off the court. She made me the player I am today. She made a great impact in this program and we will always be grateful for her.”

PHS hoops under Melissa Sanchez:
2018-19: (15-7 overall, 10-4 in league)
2019-20: (19-8, 13-1)
2020-21: (9-5, 7-0)
Total: 43-20, including 4-3 in the postseason

Cal Lutheran Bio for Melissa: California Lutheran University (clusports.com)