Celebrating Senior Night at Sage Hill High School

Senior night at Sage Hill High School typically brings family, flowers, hugs, and a final expression of gratitude. However, on Tuesday evening in Newport Beach, Amalia Holguin transformed it into something quite remarkable.

Holguin, the youngest member of Kobe Bryant’s Mamba women’s basketball team, is particularly noted for sharing the court with Bryant’s daughter, Gianna. Even six years after their tragic deaths, she remains the last active high school athlete he coached.

This made it somewhat expected when the senior player tapped into her inner Mamba mentality, hitting an Orange County record of 14 three-pointers and scoring—get this—61 points in a commanding 101-26 victory over Laguna Beach. By the third quarter, the record was already in sight, and by the time she left the court, history had indeed been made.

Her achievement broke the previous county record of 13 three-pointers, which was set in 2020 by Isabel Avalos from Buena Park. Holguin also reached a personal milestone, surpassing 2,000 career points—all while playing at Sage Hill—much of her scoring happening before the critical fourth quarter. While Teresa Martinez from Magnolia still holds the county record with 69 points, Tuesday night undeniably belonged to Holguin.

With this victory, Sage Hill notched its 17th consecutive win, boosting its status as the top-ranked team in Orange County to 22-4 for the season. Holguin’s performance bore traces of Bryant’s influence; you could see elements of Kobe in the way she managed the ball, sought out angles, and demonstrated a deep respect for the game. She attributes her passion for basketball not just to scoring but also to the discipline, intent, and precision that Bryant and his coaches instilled in her.

Now, Holguin plays for the Texas Longhorns, recognized as one of the top combo guards in the country. She has already led Sage Hill to the CIF State Division I finals and is on track to become the program’s all-time leading scorer by the time she graduates.

But on that particular Tuesday night, beneath the familiar lights, Holguin did more than just put up points. She honored her heritage, made a statement, and reminded everyone in Orange County what true greatness looks like when it chooses to make its presence known.