Bear River's Lafata is North small-schools team MVP in Optimist Game

The Bear River Lady Bruins are not done taking home spoils from the 2021-22 season. After a Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship, the Lady Bruins earned the top seed in the D-V NorCal Regional Tournament. Although the season ended with a quarterfinal loss, Bear River's 23-3 record was its best in two decades. The Lady Bruins were represented by Jordan Foster and Heaven Lafata in Sunday's 45th annual Optimist All Star Games at Capital Christian High School. It was a day to remember for Lafata, who took home the Most Outstanding Player award for the North in the girls small-schools game. Lafata scored six points and reeled in eight rebounds in the North's 73-52 loss to the South. Foster had an impressive game as well, leading the North with 13 points. Lafata offered her thoughts about how it felt to end her high school career on a high note. "It felt pretty good, especially since our last game of the regular season didn't go too well," she said. "Being able to have another opportunity to play was a lot of fun and it means a lot. I've never won an MVP award, so it's really cool because it's usually Jordan (Foster) or Julia (Pisenti)." "Heaven is a super hard worker and I'm really proud of her. She's a player that is getting better all of the time," Bear River coach Jenn Krill said. "Even though she is undersized down low, she uses her strength and creativity to score." Foster and Lafata will remain teammates next season and even stay in the same colors, as each plans to play at Sierra College. Bear River also had a strong performance in the boys game. Senior big man Harrison Alexander had eight points and two rebounds for the North in its 99-78 loss to the South. "I'm very proud of this young man and now everyone knows where Bear River High is," Bruins coach Dan Mooney said. Alexander has not committed to a college.