Adame set to continue basketball career after Coast
COSTA MESA -- Orange Coast College women's basketball standout, Lea Adame, will continue her academic and athletic careers at Life Pacific University in San Dimas, according to Pirate head coach Sammy Doucette.
"Throughout Lea's entire experience at OCC, she has been a phenomenal leader and the hardest worker on our team," Doucette said of Adame. "Not to mention, she's a 4.0 student! To have her in our program for my first year ... to help build our foundation was so special and I will always be grateful for it."
Adame led the Pirates in scoring last year as a freshman, averaging 13.8 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds per game as well. In a season where the Pirates struggled to find enough players to play, Adame was a constant leader in a program that needed one.
"We would not have the culture we do now without Lea. As a new coach, I needed my players to buy in to our values and philosophies and stay positive throughout our many adversities, even the ones we weren't anticipating," Doucette said. "She was positive through everything and continuously showed up ready to work hard and encourage her teammates. Her story is unbelievable and only just beginning."
Adame attended Great Oak High School, but was out of the sport following a heart issue and loss of love for the sport. After attending Fullerton College for a year, Adame transferred to Orange Coast and from there a connection with Doucette began her return back to basketball.
When asked if she thought three years ago that she'd be playing basketball at OCC and next year at Life Pacific University, her answer was clear. "I would've told you that you were absolutely crazy," Adame said. "This is just so huge for me. I can't really wrap my head around it. It shows me that if I put my mind to something that I want, I can do anything."
The road to LPU from OCC began with the help from Doucette, a former NAIA player herself at Vanguard University. "Coach Sammy got me connected with one of their assistant coaches," Adame said. "Once I made the visit to the school, I really felt like it was the right fit for me. They talked very highly of their players and the school aligns with my values and morals as well."
With the hopes of some type of season in 2021, Adame will be wrapping up her Coast career this season before moving on, but she will always have fond memories of the place she's called home for the past two years.
"First of all, this is just the best JC ever ... not just for athletes, but on the academic side too," Adame said. "Sammy is one of the best coaches I've ever had and she saw the potential in me. People like (Athletic Director Jason Kehler and Compliance/Eligibility Specialist Ashley Rippeon) really helped us through this rough year with constant zoom meetings and really making sure we were doing OK through this pandemic. They made sure our voices were heard and that was so important to all of us."
