Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Spring Woods High (SWHS) School junior Anjalena Salazar has spent years preparing for this moment. She has been the engine behind the Tigers’ historic run, leading them to their first-ever district title and an undefeated district record. Now, she’s helping to extend their season even further.

Salazar played a key role in Spring Woods’ 64-55 bi-district playoff victory over Victoria East, scoring 14 points while dishing out four assists and collecting four steals. With the win, the Tigers improved to 23-4 and punched their ticket to the area round, where they will face Georgetown at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Bryan High School.

The Tigers were announced as the Feb. 15 Stellar Bank Team of the Week by H-Town High School Sports after clenching the district title. For Salazar, the team’s success is the product of years of hard work, trust, and dedication. For Salazar, the team’s success is the product of years of hard work, trust, and dedication.

A Leader on and off the Court

Salazar’s leadership extends beyond the stat sheet. Head coach Rashida Aikens calls her the “floor general,” a player who understands the game at a deep level and knows how to elevate her teammates.

“She’s my right hand,” Aikens said. “She knows how to take the lead, and the girls listen to her. If I don’t have to say something, she already knows what to do. She takes care of the team, and they trust her.”

That trust has been built over time. Aikens, in her third year leading the Tigers, recalled how the team struggled with communication when she first arrived. But through individual conversations and growing chemistry, that has changed—especially between Aikens and Salazar.

“Now, we can just look at each other, and she already knows what I’m thinking,” Aikens said. “And I know what she’s thinking. We just go out there and take care of business.”

For Salazar, playing point guard comes with responsibility. She takes pride in setting up her teammates for success, whether by making the right pass or controlling the game’s tempo.

“I know my job is to get my teammates involved,” Salazar said. “Coach always tells me I have to look for my shot, too, but I love being able to help my team in different ways.”

Finding a Passion for Basketball

Salazar’s love for basketball started early. She first picked up a ball in second grade, but it wasn’t until middle school that she realized the game was something more than just a hobby.

“By seventh or eighth grade, I really started loving it,” Salazar said. “I knew I wanted to take it seriously.”

Her work ethic reflects that passion. Salazar has spent countless hours in the gym refining her game, something that has made her a well-rounded player. She averages 13.3 points, 3.3 assists, and four steals per game, but her impact goes beyond numbers.

“She knows how to read the court on offense and defense,” Aikens said. “She’s sometimes too unselfish. I have to remind her to go get her points because she’s always looking for her teammates.”

Balancing Life Beyond Basketball

Away from the court, Salazar is focused on both her future and her family. She plans to continue playing basketball in college while studying sports medicine, a field she’s passionate about.

“I’ve always wanted to stay around sports, and I like helping people,” she said. “Sports medicine is something I can see myself doing after basketball.”

For now, though, her focus remains on the present—leading Spring Woods through a playoff run and continuing to build the program’s success.

Chasing More History

Spring Woods has already made history with a 16-0 district record and its first-ever district title, but the team isn’t done yet. As the Tigers prepare for Georgetown in the area round, Salazar knows the key to advancing will be staying aggressive and mentally tough.

“We just have to play as a team and keep trusting each other,” she said. “We’ve come too far to stop now.”

With Salazar leading the way, the Tigers have every reason to believe their season is far from over.

 

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