Waiting for their shots at redemption has been an exercise in patience for siblings Devin and Trevor Stanback, but the Chaminade basketball standouts finally have their opportunities today in Ontario.
There has been no shortage of motivation during the past year for Devin — a Pepperdine-bound senior — and Trevor, her sophomore brother, after both Eagles teams endured the disappointment of losing in last season’s regional finals at Colony High.
Through the inspiration of their mother Tacita Richardson, the support of their respective coaching staffs and the commitment of their teammates, Devin’s determination and Trevor’s tenacity could be rewarded with not one, but two trips to Sacramento for the first state basketball finals in school history.
“They deserve it just as much as we do and I know how much hard work Trevor has put in individually, as well as the rest of the team,” Devin said. “It’s definitely an inspiration to keep going, especially if we’re able to do it together as siblings, but also as the girls and boys teams at the same school. It’s really a good feeling to know that we could do this together.”
Chaminade, which lost to Mission League rival Alemany in last year’s Division III girls regional final, faces West Torrance in the Division II regional championship at 10 a.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
The Eagles will take aim at another Division III boys regional title after last year’s loss to St. Augustine when they square off against Santa Margarita at 8 p.m. at Colony High.
“To watch them celebrate while they got their awards was probably the hardest thing. I’ll never forget it,” Trevor said. “Knowing that we’re going into the same place with the same expectations, but this time we’re going to try to surpass them. We have a second chance and we have to seize the moment and make the best of it.”
It will be a long day for the Stanback family, but it’s almost appropriate considering the countless sacrifices made during the journey since coming up just short of their goals last year.
“This is what they’ve been eyeing all year long,” Richardson said. “When you experience that kind of disappointment, it makes you even more determined to get back there. Both of them have come very far and worked really hard to get to where they are this year. It’s been a challenge and a struggle that we’ve embraced as a family, but they appreciate each other and they support each other and they want to see one another succeed.”
Chaminade won the Southern Section Division III-A girls title last season, but Devin remembered seeing how much senior teammates Robyn Brown, Cassie MacLeod and Mi’Chael Wright hurt after coming up short in their last games. It has provided extra fuel for the 6-foot-2 forward and fellow seniors Natalie Valenzuela, Kaylie Fandino and Christa Fandino, in order to avoid a similar conclusion to their careers.
“It’s a great feeling that we have another shot at this,” said Devin, who averages 14.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
“This is a great opportunity and we don’t want to come up empty-handed this time. We wanted to be able to leave our mark on Chaminade, so that when we come back we can say that we were a part of this and we helped get to this point.”
Trevor — averaging 9.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks — has two more seasons with the Eagles, but the 6-9 forward isn’t taking tonight’s opportunity for granted, especially with perhaps the deepest lineup in program history supporting him and featuring seniors Jack Williams and Justin Eisen.
“I go to a lot of (Devin’s) games and they blow teams out and they play team ball and they play together and that’s inspiring,” Trevor said. “That’s what I try to do with my team. I try to play team ball and stay as close together as possible. We have great team chemistry and we all have each other’s backs and we all have the same goals.
“The boys have been supportive of the girls and the girls have been supportive of the boys and we all feel like a real family. I think that’s a really good element that’s pushed us this far and helped us continue.”
Even on nights when they’re not playing doubleheaders like Chaminade has been through the first three rounds of the state playoffs, the importance of family hasn’t been lost on Devin and Trevor, who make the sacrifices to attend each other’s games while balancing their own practices and academic commitments.
Despite the heartbreak of losing to Alemany, Devin was present to support Trevor in his quest to help the Eagles advance to Sleep Train Arena for the Division III state final. Chaminade’s four-point loss to St. Augustine only enhanced the family’s frustration.
“I remember thinking, ‘They’re going to do it.’ We’re still going to go to Sacramento and go out there and support them. It might not have been for us, but it’s going to be for our school and our program,” Devin said. “Now, we’ve got this chance again and we have to both do it. We have to make sure we do everything right, so we can both get there.”
It also would be a proud moment for Richardson, who has been treated to several highlights during the past two seasons having both children pursue section, regional and state championships.
“It would be something special for them both to go,” Richardson said. “Having the opportunity to go once is amazing, but twice would be a blessing. They’ve both put so much into it and to see them learn from last year’s experience and come back and be able to reach that goal would be something they’ll always remember. I’m just so glad they’re both here and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”
The past year has been a test of physical endurance, mental toughness and emotional consistency for the Stanback siblings. This time, Devin and Trevor are better prepared to overcome the obstacles together.
“Getting this far with my team is probably the best feeling in the world,” Devin said. “This year, we’re all focusing not only on being physically strong, but also being mentally strong. It’s been a long season and we’re all tired, but this year, we want to keep pushing for each other. To be able to get there and especially with my brother on the boys team, that would mean so much to me.”
