Freshman Baylee Young already top scorer for Gig Harbor girls basketball

Mike Guinasso is a self-proclaimed “quote guy,” and for good reason.

That’s because the Tides’ coach finds a quote each day from social media before reading it to the team.

So when Guinasso decided on how to describe Baylee Young’s work ethic — a freshman for the Tides and currently the team’s scoring leader — he turned to the words of actor and wrestling star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“One thing he said that I see in Baylee when she plays is ‘Be humble, be hungry, and always be the hardest worker in the room,’” Guinasso said. “She’s the one who comes early, and stays after.”

It’s only her first year playing for the girls basketball team at Gig Harbor, and Young leads the team with nearly 18 points per game.

Include 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and nearly 2 steals for every contest, and Guinasso believes he has a player he can rely on for years to come.

“I can take her out if she’s having a rough game, and I can talk to her and say ‘now is our time. Let’s go have fun and go on a run,’” Guinasso said. “She shakes stuff off really well. If she misses a couple of shots, she’s not afraid to put the next one up.

“Being my first year (as coach) and being her first year, it’s nice to have somebody who can play at the varsity level that I can put my faith in, knowing she’s going to be here for four years.”

If Young’s season provides any indication of what’s to come for the program, Gig Harbor is in good hands. This season, the Tides (7-5 overall, 5-1 SSC 3A) currently trail Capital High School by just half a game in the league standings.

Gig Harbor, though, has eight games to make up the ground between themselves and the league-leading Cougars.

Young knows the key for the Tides moving forward.

“I think being positive and working as a team (is the key),” Young said. “It can be hard sometimes, but I think we do well with that. That’s just being really positive on the court, talking a lot, and communicating with each other.”

And if there was any doubt of whether Young — now just one half of a season into her high school career — could mesh with a roster primarily comprised of upperclassmen, put it to rest.

It’s in practice where Young says the team bonds most, and if Gig Harbor’s record isn’t enough evidence, it shows on the court.

“We just really enjoy ourselves and we reap the benefits of practicing hard and having fun as a team,” Young said. “We go out on the court and play hard together.”

So for Young — a rising star in the Gig Harbor program — to shine so early on, there’s plenty to highlight.

Guinasso credits Young’s development in her passing game, which brings the ability to get teammates involved offensively.

When Young contemplated what she believed was the most valuable aspect of her game, the Tides’ leading scorer focused on what helps Gig Harbor increase their point total.

“I work day in and day out on [my shooting],” Young said. “I’m constantly putting up shots before and after practice, and I work on my ball handling a lot.”

If Gig Harbor can make up ground in the race for the 3A SSC title, the Tides could secure a first-round bye in the district tournament and create a smooth path to state.

With the team he currently has — rich with togetherness and selflessness — Guinasso believes Young and the rest of Gig Harbor are in prime position to make a postseason run.

“We bring a family aspect into [basketball],” Guinasso said. “We make everyone feel accepted. There were a couple bumps and bruises coming in. Now, we’re midseason.

“We’ve made a good stride so far this season with her playing confidently. And her feeling confident about getting other people involved. Other kids feel confident playing with her.”

This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 5:14 AM.