Chrisman earns first-team all-league honors

Bonsall’s Paige Chrisman has earned first-team all-league honors in high school girls basketball.

Chrisman, a junior at Christian Life High School in Escondido, earned the first-team honors for the Citrus West League.

“She’s a hustler. She works on the court; she’s quick,” said Christian Life coach Todd Nash.

Christian Life earned a trip to the state tournament by reaching the CIF San Diego Section Division V finals. A loss to Calvin Christian in the CIF finals gave Christian Life a 17-10 record entering the state tournament. Only four of those losses were to Division V teams; Calvin Christian beat the Knights three times including in the title match and San Diego Jewish Academy earned a one-point win over the Knights during league play.

Christian Life defeated San Diego Jewish Academy in the teams’ other league match as well as in the Division V semifinals. The Knights won the Citrus West League with a 9-1 record in league play while San Diego Jewish Academy finished 7-3.

Chrisman was one of two Knights to earn first-team all-league honors. Over the season Chrisman averaged eight points, eight rebounds, and three steals per game.

Nash notes that Christian Life is a fast-breaking team, and the 5’9” Chrisman plays the post position. Christian Life initiated basketball with the 2005-06 season, and Chrisman also started on the varsity as a sophomore. “She’s really progressed,” Nash said.

Chrisman is also a jumper and hurdler on Christian Life’s track and field team, and Nash had to coax her into playing basketball. “The first shot she took, she made a three-pointer, and then she was hooked,” Nash said.

Chrisman also plays on Christian Life’s volleyball team. “She’s a great all-around athlete,” Nash said.