Barrera has quietly been model of consistency for the Lancers (11-6), who started their Valley Oak League co-championship defense during their busy winter break.

The 5-foot-9 wing forward averaged a double-double last week, as East Union placed third in the Tom Hawkins/Tracy Breakfast Lions Tournament and split its first two league contests.

“Ava is just solid, being the third-year varsity veteran on the team,” EU coach Jim Agostini said following the Lancers’ 58-38 landslide victory over Pacheco in the Tracy Tournament third-place game on New Year’s Eve.

“She had a great tournament.”

The Lancers played a tough schedule in the four-day tournament, knocking off the likes of eventual champion El Capitan (14-3), Kimball (9-3) and Pacheco (10-5). Barrera racked up 12 points and nine rebounds in the third-place contest. She was named to the all-tournament team.

The lone loss came against an athletic Pittsburg squad last Monday, Dec. 30. The Lancers dropped a 42-41 decision despite Barrera’s 13 points and 15 rebounds.

East Union tipped off VOL play last Thursday at Oakdale, winning decisively behind Barrera’s 11 points and 12 rebounds. She added another 10 points and eight boards Saturday in a 45-41 loss at Mountain House. Five of the Lancers’ first six league games are on the road.

For the week, Barrera averaged 11.5 points and 11 rebounds.