PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — As district champs, both a state and national ranking, Hendrickson girls basketball is trending upwards.
"Because of her, the success of this program has catapulted to where it is right now," said Hendrickson head coach Norma Sierra.
She goes by the name of Mikayla Woods. She's what you might call a game-changer.
"I saw her in eighth grade and even then I knew that this program was going to change, because what she brought to the game is something that I hadn't seen in a long time," said Sierra.
What coach Sierra saw was a diamond waiting to be polished, and Woods herself holding the cloth.
"It's made me be really independent like getting in the gym, getting up shots on my own," said Woods.
Her independent shooting sessions have quickly become a team event.
"Watching everybody come together and evolve as a team and pushing through all the hard times, it's just good," said Woods.
When Woods was a freshman, the program missed the playoffs. The year after, they were bounced in the first round; critical moments for this now budding team.
"We're all just really close, we have four seniors and we've all been through the ups and downs with this program," said Woods.
It's a ride that has shaped Woods.
"It's taken me to where I am today and made me who I am today," she said
Recently it led her to a career milestone of 2,000 points. Soon it will lead her to UT-San Antonio where she'll play at the next level. But first: one final playoff run.