Varsity Girls Basketball Nevada Stat Leader Sophia Soran ‘25 Prepares for the 2024-2025 Season

Sophia Soran ‘25 has received many accolades after leading the Sage Ridge School Varsity Girls Basketball Team in the 2023-2024 season. Soran is a Nevada stat leader who earned the first-place spot in the state for points per game, rebounds per game and steals per game. Soran ranks seventh in the state for assists per game, ninth for blocks per game and 17th for free throws made in the 2023-2024 season. 

ABC KOLO 8 featured Soran’s performance on their Sports Caravan Basketball Awards Show (third video at 3:42), where she ranked third on their “Girls Player of the Year” list. The sports reporter says, “If you haven’t heard of our #3 player, you should. Because Sage Ridge’s Sophia Soran is a force. She’s the state’s leader regardless of classification in points per game, rebounds per game and steals per game, averaging a stat line of 25.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.2 steals. She almost averaged a triple-double for the season.” 

Last week, Soran was listed in the MaxPreps article, “High school girls basketball: Every player who scored 50 points or more in a game during the 2023-2024 season,” for scoring 50 points in a single game on January 24. 

With just six players on the team—including three sophomores and two freshmen—the Scorpions earned third in their league for the 2023-2024 season and defeated Virginia City in the 2024 NIAA 1A West Girls Basketball quarterfinals. The Scorpions lost to 2024 1A West Girls Basketball Champion Pyramid Lake in the semifinals. Team leader Soran is already looking ahead to next season with her eye on second in the league and state. The point guard is confident in the camaraderie and commitment that teammates Beatrice Liwanag ‘26, Sophie Najjar ‘26, Abigail Napoli ‘26, Katy Illg ‘27 and Margaret Jensen-Eykamp ‘27 provide. 

“I think it is about building relationships with them,” Soran said. “I’ve known the sophomores since middle school and through volleyball. The freshmen I didn’t know before, so I tried to make it fun for them, and I really appreciate Maggie and Katy because they show up on time and work hard. They balanced other activities and made sacrifices for basketball.” 

Soran had to jump into the driver’s seat as the only upperclassman on the team. Four seniors graduated in 2023, leaving Soran as the young team’s leader. 

“I didn’t have a senior to look up to, and this year, I had to be the senior of the team and lead on and off the court,” Soran said. “This season has helped me balance everything: my role on the court, academics in the classroom, and transitioning to an upperclassman. I’ve focused more this year on creating opportunities for myself and my teammates. For example, we had a game where Sophie wanted a certain stat line, so I dedicated the entire second half to helping her do that. Coach Erik did the same thing. It’s just a great environment that I’m very lucky to have.” 

Coach Erik Slikkerveer and Coach Tyler Dix joined the Sage Ridge Varsity Girls Basketball team as Head Coaches this year. They also coach the Sage Ridge School Middle School Boys Basketball team in the fall. 

“Sophia Soran exemplifies unparalleled leadership on the basketball court, fueled by her enormous work ethic and relentless drive for excellence,” Coach Slikkerveer said. “Her dedication not only improves her performance but also ignites a fire within her teammates and coaching staff, creating a culture of ambition and teamwork. We’re incredibly excited for her senior season, as we anticipate continued growth and leadership from Soran.”   

Soran joined Sage Ridge in the school’s first 4th-grade class in 2016. Her older sister Margaret “Maggie” Soran graduated from Sage Ridge in 2023. Basketball has been a constant in Soran’s life. She began playing in 4th grade in a recreation league, 5th grade for the Scorpions and has been playing on Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams since 7th grade. Soran plays on two teams for the Nevada Basketball Academy—including one team coached by Coach Slikkerveer. 

“It’s also about putting in the work outside of the team,” Soran said, emphasizing that doesn’t have to mean playing AAU. “Getting into the gym on your own time, lifting weights, watching basketball, dribbling at home, shooting the ball, just those little things contribute a lot.” 

Mental preparation is also key. Especially before a big game. 

“Coach Erik gave me this book ‘The Mindful Athlete,’” Soran said. “Meditation, mindful breathing, you have to get in your flow state and be in that zone and figure out how to get back in the zone if you’re out of it. That book was really beneficial. Before each game, I’d meditate, listen to certain songs and stretch a lot.” 

Soran added that the academics at Sage Ridge enhance the school’s athletics program. Student-athletes come to the court, field or meet with respect and professionalism. 

“The academic rigor at Sage Ridge has definitely made me mature more quickly,” Soran said. “That constant habit of being punctual, responsible, on top of all the work, and that has translated to the court and allowed me to take more responsibility for my team, and accountability, as well.” 

When a basketball team has six players, every foul and injury can make or break a game or a season. The Scorpions maneuvered through injury (and lots of leg cramps), physical games and frustrated competitors. 

“When you start winning, they’d get frustrated,” Soran said. “Teams would assume it would be an easy game, but we put up a good fight, and we’d win a lot of these games.” 

The opening of Sage Ridge School’s 24,000-square-foot E.L. Wiegand Student Activity Center (SAC) in November allowed Soran and her teammates to be the first Sage Ridge Varsity Girls Basketball team to play in the building’s 13,000-square-foot Ernest J. Primm Gymnasium. 

“This year, the girls basketball program has reinvigorated with the opening of the E.L. Wiegand Student Activity Center,” Sage Ridge School Athletic Director Sierra Starbuck said. “The 2023-2024 season and our new facility have given players, especially Sophia Soran, the opportunity to showcase passion, dedication and talents on a new level, and the program’s growth will continue in the 2024-2025 season.” 

An away game at Smith Valley was one of the most memorable of the season. The team had to play with five players, and Napoli collected four fouls during the game. The Scorpions ended up winning by three points. 

“After the game, we sang in the van the whole way back. The van rides are some of my favorite moments. We sing, catch up on homework and chat,” Soran said. “In this environment at Sage Ridge, you’re supported by your team and community. My mom has always shown up to all my games and is very confident in me, and having that support system contributed to my success this year. Coach Erik and Coach Tyler have put in so much work getting to know us as players and as a team.” 

When looking back on this season, moments with the team mean the most. 

“The little moments like laughing with Abi,” Soran said. “We could not have had the season we did without this group. Just watching my team grow as people and as a team. I’m going to miss Sage Ridge.” 

Senior year is just around the corner for Soran, and with the current seniors departing campus for internships, the reality has set in. But Soran already has goals lined up for next year. 

“I want another successful season,” Soran said. “I’ve been working really hard, and it is great getting acknowledged, but I want to keep trying for more and keep pushing myself…and as a senior, I want to be more encouraging and inspire my teammates to continue their growth. Discipline, determination and focus are what we need to work on. I want them to be more confident on the court because they have the capabilities to succeed. I want to be a leader but also a friend.”

Coach Slikkerveer is excited for what’s to come for the Scorpions in the 2024-2025 Varsity Girls Basketball season. 

“With Soran’s leadership and backed by rising juniors Bea Liwanag ‘26, Sophie Najjar ‘26 and Abigail Napoli ‘26, the Scorpions have a very real shot at making state next year.”

For all our Scorpions out there, if you are interested in joining the Varsity Girls Basketball Team, Coaches Slikkerveer and Dix want to hear from you. 

“We’re looking forward to next season and would like to encourage any interested Sage Ridge students or parents to reach out to Coach Erik Slikkerveer or Coach Tyler Dix. If you’re interested in hard work, value teamwork, friendship and winning, this is the place for you.”