Amy Avila brings out the best in the Lady Zebras

Lincoln High School girls' basketball head coach Amy Avila, with the Lady Zebras since 2018, helped lead the 2021-22 team to a 30-4 record, a Foothill Valley League title and a Sac-Joaquin Section title game, along with a NorCal Championship trip. "The best part about coaching this team is the group of girls," Avila said. "Their team chemistry is like no other. They are coachable, hardworking and all-around great kids. I can't say that I've had a proudest moment as a coach but I'm proud of how this team overcame so much adversity." Avila's motivation to coach came from her love for the game of basketball and she enjoys watching college basketball teams such as Stanford and Arizona. She helped coach the freshman team at Lincoln High roughly 20 years ago and has also coached recreation basketball for many years in Lincoln. Avila began playing the game in sixth-grade and played at Placer High School where she graduated in 1996. She played two years at Sierra College under coach Roz Goldenberg from 1996 to 1998. "She was an intense coach that brought the best out in her players," Avila said. "I would say in some ways, I have modeled some of my coaching style from her. My coaching philosophy is to teach my team to work hard, be committed, be a good teammate, show good sportsmanship and be coachable." Avila also helped coach ninth-grade Amateur Athletic Union basketball during her time at Sierra College. "I remember sitting in the old gym at Placer High above the court and seeing her rain in threes," Goldenberg said. "She was always calmly intense and she brought those skills to Sierra and we had a great two years with her in the backcourt. She was a mature leader, but most importantly, she was a good student and team player. I am pleased for her success but not surprised as she is hardworking and smart." Outside of basketball, Avila works as a probation officer with Placer County, a job she has held for the last 21 years. She graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree in criminal justice. Avila met her husband, John through her work. John Avila is the Zebras assistant coach and statistician, helping with much of the program's behind-the-scenes work, including getting game film, reaching out to other coaches, helping prepare for upcoming games and posting stats after each game on Twitter. Together, Amy and John Avila have five children, including two Lincoln High graduates, a current sophomore, a fourth-grader and a first-grader. While Avila has a life outside of basketball, it's her love for the game that has helped lead to her success as a coach. The Zebras have a combined 81-20 record in her four seasons as coach, including league titles in 2021 and 2022. "One of the things that makes Amy a great coach is the relationships she builds between her and her players," senior Lauren Holcomb said. "The biggest things I've learned from Amy is to be more confident and to believe in myself." Avila wanted to leave a piece of advice for her players: "Enjoy the moment. Time goes by fast and enjoy these years in high school, enjoy your teammates and have fun playing."