Righetti's Danita Estorga (5) blocks a shot by Cabrillo's Haleigh Batty during a CIF Southern Section Division 3A quarterfinal game at Righetti High School in 2016. Estorga is the seventh nominee for the Times' Player of the Decade contest.
Righetti's Danita Estorga leads the fast break against Atascadero during a Harold Oliveira Tournament game at Pioneer Valley High School in December of 2016. Estorga is the seventh nominee for the Times' Player of the Decade contest.
Righetti's Danita Estorga passes on the fast break ahead of Arroyo Grande's Brynn Thoming during a game at Righetti in 2017.
Righetti’s Danita Estorga goes up for a shot against Arroyo Grande’s AJ Bertelsen during a Jan. 27, 2016 PAC 8 League girls basketball game at Arroyo Grande High School.
Righetti junior Danita Estorga, front, was named the All-Area MVP and Righetti’s Desiree Hitch the All-Area Coach of the Year in 2016. The two helped lead Righetti to a 22-5 overall record, a share of the PAC 8 League title and a berth in the CIF Southern Section Division 3A semifinals.
How good was Danita Estorga at Righetti?
So good, in fact, that even after suffering a season-ending knee injury as a senior in 2017, she was still voted the All-Area Offensive Player of the Year and had a strong case for the All-Area MVP award.
You see, Estorga's game was so refined, that even though she played only 14 games her senior year, it was clear she was still the area's top offensive threat. After all, Estorga was voted the All-Area MVP, as chosen by the sports staff at the Times, the year before, as a junior in the 2015-16 season.
In her final two seasons at Righetti, Estorga averaged 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Estorga spearheaded the turnaround there, leading coach Desiree Hitch's rebuild of the program. Estorga helped the Warriors go 47-10 in the final two years with the program. They went 26-2 in league those two seasons.
Estorga is the seventh nominee for the Times' Player of the Decade contest and the second from Righetti High, joining Molly Schlemer (Class of 2010). She joins St. Joseph's Tatiana Dunlap, Valley Christian's Simone Swain, Lompoc's Danielle Morgan, Arroyo Grande's Ashlyn Herlihy and Cabrillo's Erin Jenkins. The Times is polling current and former coaches to develop its list of nominees for Player of the Decade.
Estorga possessed skills rarely seen in girls high school basketball, with elite ball-handling skills, a deft shooting touch and an ability to create her own shot from just about anywhere on the floor. Meanwhile, at 6-foot-1, she had the length and size to defend on the wing or in the paint, blocking shots and forcing turnovers with ease.
After Estorga was named the All-Area MVP in 2016, Hitch, her coach at the time, said her star player was just scratching the surface.
"Danita still hasn't fully reached potential and she has improved so much just within this past season," Hitch said in 2016. "She’s in the gym every day. She's a year-round player and she’s really improved and has kept making more improvements."
Hitch was right. Estorga has gone on to play at Biola University, a Division II program. After battling through a few other nagging injuries, Estorga started 17 of 19 games with Biola this past season, scoring 10.7 points per game with 6.2 rebounds. She led the Eagles in scoring during her first 17 games of the season, according to the school, and had 10 straight double-digit scoring games to start the season. Estorga led Biola in rebounding last season.
"I’ve been playing basketball since the age of 5," Estorga said in 2016. "Every day I work out, I'm in the gym every day for two hours, pushing myself to be a better basketball player. Basketball is my life. If I didn’t have basketball I don't know what I'd be doing."
I'm going back in time and remembering some of the players our readers may have forgotten or have just always been overlooked. Some are well known, but most were never given their proper shrift during their prep careers.
There's certainly still plenty of basketball left for Estorga, with two more years of eligibility at Biola.
The rest of the Player of the Decade nominees will be announced in the coming weeks before a tournament-style voting contest will be held to determine the girls basketball Player of the Decade. Readers will be able to vote online at santamariatimes.com; lompocrecord.com and syvnews.com.
Players from Northern Santa Barbara County and Southern San Luis Obispo County whose final seasons where in between 2009-10 and 2019-20 are eligible.
You didn't think we would stop with football, did you? We continue highlighting the greatest athletes in the history of the Central Coast wit…
Photos: Righetti grad Danita Estorga over the years
When it comes to her physical well-being, the fates have not always been kind to Danita Estorga.Still, she has persevered.Estorga was in the midst of her senior campaign during a decorated basketball career at Righetti High School when she suffered a season-ending leg injury in the team’s first league game.
Righetti High grad Danita Estorga led Biola in scoring for much of her sophomore season, averaging 10.7 points per game. She started 17 of the 19 games she played in.
Righetti High grad Danita Estorga led Biola in scoring for much of her sophomore season, averaging 10.7 points per game. She started 17 of the 19 games she played in.
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Righetti High grad Danita Estorga led Biola in scoring for much of her sophomore season, averaging 10.7 points per game. She started 17 of the 19 games she played in.
Former Righetti basketball player Danita Estorga works on a drill with campers Friday.
Danita Estorga sings "The Climb" during the Righetti High School graduation ceremony.
Righetti's Danita Estorga drills a 3-pointer during the half-time 3-Point Shooting Contest at the Kiwanis All-Star Basketball Game Saturday night at Hancock College. It was Estorga's first action since a leg injury ended her Righetti High season early.
Righetti players Emily Housley and Danita Estorga gave gifts to Pioneer Valley players to honor the players' competition over the years on Senior Night Friday.
Alijah Paquet and Danita Estorga pose before the start of Righetti's game against Pioneer Valley. Paquet is a sophomore and Estorga is a senior.
Righetti senior Danita Estorga, on the left, made one final start for the Warriors on Friday night. Estorga injured her leg earlier in the season, but was able to start for the Warriors Friday night.
Righetti senior Danita Estorga sings the Star Spangled Banner before Friday night's game against Pioneer Valley.
Righetti senior Dasia Ramirez poses with family before the start of Friday night's PAC 8 League game against Pioneer Valley. The Warriors celebrated Senior Night, honoring Danita Estorga, Maya Armenta, Mariah Vargas, Emily Housley and Ramirez.
Righetti senior Danita Estorga, who is out for the year with a leg injury, is introduced before the game against Pioneer Valley on Senior Night.
Righetti senior star Danita Estorga poses with family members on Senior Night.
Righetti's Danita Estorga smiles at halfcourt as she's introduced during Senior Night ceremonies on Feb. 10. Estorga missed the second half of her senior season with a leg injury. That didn't stop her from being named the All-Area Offensive Player of the Year.
Righetti's Zane Sheckherd, center, stepped up to help lead the Warriors after defending All-Area MVP Danita Estorga was injured about midway through the season. Arroyo Grande's Brynn Thoming, left, helped the Eagles finish second in the PAC 8 behind the Warriors. Look inside to see what honors the players took in this year's All-Area special section.
Righetti's Danita Estorga blocks a shot by Arroyo Grande's Brynn Thoming as Ashley Reynoso (33) defends during Tuesday night's PAC 8 League game at Righetti High.
Righetti's Danita Estorga passes on the fast break ahead of Arroyo Grande's Brynn Thoming during a game at Righetti in 2017.
Righetti's Mariah Vargas, left, Dasia Ramirez (in back) and Danita Estorga stop Mayfield's Paris Turrentine off an in-bounds pass during the Harold Olivera basketball tournament on Friday.
Righetti's Danita Estorga leads the fast break against Atascadero during the Harold Oliveira Tournament at Pioneer Valley on Thursday. Estorga was Righetti's leading scorer with 16 points.
Righetti Warrior's Danita Estorga grabs the ball as Half Moon Bay defenders charge during the Harold Oliveira Tournament, held at Pioneer Valley High School.
Righetti's Danita Estorga (5) dribbles the ball around Ventura's Aubrey Knight during the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions championship game on Dec. 23. Estorga was injured later on in the season, but did enough on the floor to be named Offensive Player of the Year.
Drew Stephens, left, and Danita Estorga, right were named athletes of the week at the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table Monday at Giavanni's Pizza in Orcutt.
Righetti High School athletes Matt Sauer (Arizona), Danita Estorga (Biola College) and Zach Andersen (Bethel College) pose with cakes after they signed athletic letters of intent during a ceremony Wednesday in the Warrior cafeteria.
Righetti High School athletes Zach Andersen (Bethel College), Danita Estorga (Biola College) and Matt Sauer (Arizona) sign athletic letters of intent as their parents watch during a ceremony Wednesday in the Warrior cafeteria.
Swoosh Basketball players and coaches, from left, head coach Mike Alexander, Janna Slover (Nipomo), Danita Estorga (Righetti), Cyenna Garrett (Lompoc), Abbey Gutierrez (Nipomo), Desire Evans (Carson), Samara Jones (Righetti), Katie Timmerman (West Torrance), Chavon Garrett (Lompoc), Ashley Reynoso (Righetti).
The Swoosh Basketball U17 Team finished in first place at the Las Vegas Memorial Day Magic Tournament last weekend. The team went undefeated against Edmonds Sports Academy Tigers, Vegas Heat, Slake Red and Swoosh Gold. The Swoosh Club Team is comprised of players from the Central Coast and those from Central and Southern California, who were recognized in their high school teams as top athletes in their leagues and have received numerous awards in basketball. Pictured, from left to right, are Katie Timmerman (West Torrance), Danita Estorga (Righetti), Haley Jones (West Torrance), Brynn Thoming Arroyo Grande), Danielle Morgan (Lompoc) and Abbey Gutierrez (Nipomo). In the center is Kylie Mendez (Nipomo). Players not pictured are Cheyenne Marmolejo (Lompoc) and Fiona Ferry (Tehachapi)
Righetti junior Danita Estorga, front, was named the All-Area MVP and Righetti’s Desiree Hitch the All-Area Coach of the Year in 2016. The two helped lead Righetti to a 22-5 overall record, a share of the PAC 8 League title and a berth in the CIF Southern Section Division 3A semifinals.
Righetti senior Danita Estorga, front, and head coach Desiree Domingues led Righetti to a 22-5 overall record, a share of the PAC 8 League title and a berth in the CIF Southern Section Division 3A semifinals last season. The team is hoping to duplicate that success as the 2016-17 season begins.
Cabrillo High School’s Erin Jenkins tries to score
as Righetti’s Danita Estorga (5) and Mariah Vargas (32) go for the block during Wednesday night’s CIF Southern Section Division 3A quarterfinal game at Righetti High School. The Warriors won 52-47 as Estorga had 20 points for the Warriors.
Righetti's Danita Estorga (5) blocks a shot by Cabrillo's Haleigh Batty during a CIF Southern Section Division 3A quarterfinal game at Righetti High School in 2016. Estorga is the seventh nominee for the Times' Player of the Decade contest.
Righetti High School's Danita Estorga goes in for the layup against the Tahquitz defense during Saturday night's CIF Southern Section Division 3A game. The Warriors won 69-48 and will host Cabrillo in the quarterfinals Wednesday night.
Righetti's Danita Estorga goes up for a rebound in the game against Mission Prep Wednesday night at Arroyo Grande High School.
Righetti’s Danita Estorga goes up for a shot against Arroyo Grande’s AJ Bertelsen during a Jan. 27, 2016 PAC 8 League girls basketball game at Arroyo Grande High School.
Arroyo Grande's Kinsey McBryde tries for a rebound against Righetti's Danita Estorga during the PAC 8 League game at Arroyo Grande High School.
Athletes of the week, from left, Danita Estorga, Erin Jenkins, Gabrys Sadaunykus and Torey Sims are honored Monday as the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table Athletes of the Week. The four basketball players excelled last week as they led their respective teams closer to the playoffs.
Righetti's Danita Estorga dribbles upcourt during a a PAC 8 League game against St. Joseph last January. Estorga was named athlete of the week on Monday.
Righetti's Danita Estorga (5) looks to make a move around St. Joseph's Samantha Brackett Friday night during a PAC 8 League game at Righetti High.
Righetti's Danita Estorga drives around Arroyo Grande's Ashlyn Herlihy during a Jan. 6, 2016 PAC 8 League girls basketball game in Orcutt. Righetti and Arroyo Grande tied for the league title. Righetti's run to the playoffs leads the honorable mention list among the Lee Central Coast Newspapers top sports stories of 2016.
Righetti's Danita Estorga blocks a shot by Arroyo Grande's AJ Bertelsen.
Righetti High basketball players Courtney Barba, Maya Arnenta and Danita Estorga, from left, are set to lead the Warriors into the 2015-16 season. Righetti will open at the Lompoc Tournament Dec. 3.
Righetti High basketball players Courtney Barba(left) and Danita Estorga.
The Righetti girls varsity basketball team participated in the Hancock College/Swoosh Fall League that consisted of Righetti, Pioneer Valley, Arroyo Grande, Mission Prep, Swoosh LA, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez and Lompoc. The Warriors ended up as the Fall League champions. Pictured, in the top row, from left, are Alijah Paquet, Courtney Barba, Sosefina Auau, Danita Estorga, Dasia Ramirez, Maria Vargas, Genesis Solache and Natalie Gruspe. In the bottom Row, from left, are Allison Cuevas, Nakaila Fuggs, coach Desiree Domingues, Maya Armenta, and Alexandra Gutierrez
Madyson Barenchi of Pioneer Valley reaches in, defending Righetti's Danita Estorga during their Friday night game at Righetti High School.
Righetti High grad Danita Estorga led Biola in scoring for much of her sophomore season, averaging 10.7 points per game. She started 17 of the 19 games she played in.
Righetti High grad Danita Estorga (5) led Biola in scoring for much of her sophomore season, averaging 10.7 points per game. She started 17 of the 19 games she played in.
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Player of the Decade: Get to know the greatest girls basketball players from the last decade
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