The West Salem Lady Titans are ranked number 18 in the Girls OSAA 6A poll (as of Jan. 10, 2024). The team will be without three key seniors from last season, Maddy Diaz, Lizzy Bennett, and Elizabeth Gile.
Returning as sophomores are Chica Casas (#3), Samantha Griffin (#22), Johanna Diaz (#12), Addy Mendez (#1), and Brooke Callahan (#13). The Titans will not lose a step. Freshman Karlee Martirano (#5) will also add to the team’s depth. The Titans have no seniors and one junior, Mackenzie Davis (#25).
Also returning is Sophomore Emma Zuniga (#24). She is just under 5’ 10” and has been a key player for the Titans since her freshman year last season. The talented athlete helped her team advance to the 2023 OSAA 6A State Tournament – she was selected honorable mention. In the Central Valley Conference, she was selected first team all-conference.
Emma plays defense at the 2023 6A OSAA State Tournament. Photo by Laura Ellison.
According to Head Coach Katie Singleton, Emma is averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds. In the new 2024 season, versus South Salem, she led all scorers with a game high of 22 points. Watching Emma play basketball is like watching a graceful-determined athlete that wants to win, and that wants her teammates to get better each week – she has become a leader for the Titans.
Emma’s parents are sports-minded and extremely supportive of their kids. She has a younger sister, Sofia, and a younger brother, Lucas. Her dad, Gene, played football for Idaho State. Her mom, Tani, played high-school basketball for King City, California. She then attended Sacramento State.
By 2003, Gene was looking for a job as a police officer and he felt Oregon was a state full of beautiful scenery. He eventually ended up on the west side of beautiful Salem, Oregon. Tani followed as well.
Emma’s mom inspired her to start playing basketball. She signed her up to the YMCA Pre-K Basketball League – she was only 4 years old. Tani had a love for the game of basketball. Emma observed and learned from her mom. She was coached by both parents at an early age.
Emma said, “I think by just seeing my mom and how much love she had for the game, I grew to love it as well. I learned so much just being coached by my parents at the YMCA league.”
She attended Harritt Elementary and Walker Middle School. Emma was shy, however, extremely focused as a student. She has always stayed out of any kind of trouble. She was just simply afraid of getting mixed up with anything that seemed too scary.
She grew up in a middle-income neighborhood, and always had a small group of close friends. These friends are still part of her life … Chica Casas, Addy Mendez, Johanna Diaz, and Samantha Griffin (Sammy). They have all played basketball together since the third grade. Today, they play for the Titan’s varsity team.
Addy Mendez (left), Emma Zuniga, and Chica Casas. Photo provided by Gene Zuniga.
Emma said, “Yeah, my friends are the best. We’ve played basketball together for years. Even some of the boys that are currently on a team were friends – and still are. We all played basketball against each other – it was a lot of fun.”
Every great athlete has a passion and a drive to get better at the sport they love. For Emma, she got better at basketball by working hard and dedicating herself to a consistent schedule throughout the years. Sometimes her dad would drive her to the PAC (Basketball training facility in Salem) on a given day just to get some shooting practice in.
Emma said, “I workout at The PAC in Salem. I shoot a lot of baskets and work on different skills – maybe 5 days a week. I had always been shy growing up, but because I was put on a varsity team as an eighth grader at The PAC, that made me grow into a leader on the court. And at West Salem, I appreciated the opportunity that the coaches gave me when I was a freshman – that just added to my growth. I love my coaching staff – they’ve helped me adjust to a leadership role.”
Since the 8th grade, Emma has been playing on tournament teams at The PAC. She has traveled to Vegas, Reno, and California cities. She even attended Mamba Academy.
Emma Zuniga takes it to the basket. Photo by Laura Ellison.
Emma has received some amazing love and support from her parents, Gene and Tani. It’s extremely important to a young athlete, for their parents or guardians to show love to a son or a daughter. In Emma’s case, she has parents that are super caring and supportive.
Emma said, “My parents have given me so much support all my life. They come to all my games, they have coached my teams … anything I need, they are there for me. And not just for me, for my siblings as well. My whole family is supportive of me.”
The Zuniga Family - photo provided by Gene Zuniga.
She works around her busy schedule to help her grandparents with all kinds of chores. She also helps coach her sister’s 8th-grade team. This high-school basketball player has a good heart and stays positive. During games she likes to offer help to any player that takes a fall on the court.
Tani said, “Emma has always been independent and determined in her own way. She knows what she wants and puts in the work. I am so proud of the smart and respectful young lady she has become.”
Now in 2024, Emma has led her team to a 2 - 0 start in the 6A-6 Central Valley Conference. The league consists of McNary, West Salem, Sprague, South Salem, and North Salem. Each team will play each other three times. Emma is a team captain along with Chica Casas and MacKenzie Davis.
Emma said, “I think we’re all pretty close on our team. We get along on and off the court. I grew up with several of them. We’ve never had any issues, and the coaches are great! They know how to work with us and they can relate to us.”
Emma can play just about any position on the court. She’s a power forward and has the ability to play point guard – this gives her an advantage to shoot the 3-point shot or the short jumper. She drives well to the basket and if you let her get the ball inside, well, it’s pretty much over.
Gene said, “We are proud of Emma and she is a wonderful daughter. Emma works hard at everything she does. She is a wonderful sister and we could not be happier with the young lady she has become.”
The standout athlete has a GPA of 3.9 and has developed some great study habits. Flashback, she even enrolled in a dual-language program back in kindergarten - being bilingual is so important these days. With her tough schedule and busy life at home, she manages to find time to do her homework.
Emma said, “I usually find time to study when I can – late at night, or during some classes – sometimes between classes. It’s always a challenge because of all the things I have going on.”
Head Coach Katie Singleton said, “Emma is a standout basketball player. She can do it all. She is a force on both offense and defense. Offensively, she plays inside and out, which makes her very difficult to guard. Her dedication doesn’t just stay at the court. She excels in her academics as well. Emma has a great combination of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, which makes her a great competitor, teammate, and a joy to coach.”
Head Coach Katie Singleton calls a time out. Assistant Coach Caleb Singleton on right.
Emma Zuniga has become an intense competitor and leader for the West Salem Titans. I’m excited to see what the future holds for this young lady. Let’s wish her the best of luck.
Emma, what is your short-term goal?
I would love for our team to make the playoffs this year.
What is your long-term goal?
I would love an opportunity to play at the next level. And I would love to study “business” in college.
Favorite NBA team?
Golden State Warriors.
Most embarrassing moment?
During a game, I was driving to the basket real hard and when I reached the basket, I tripped and fell down on the court. I was so embarrassed!
What advice do you have for young kids that want to get better?
It takes a lot of hard work. Dedicate yourself – have confidence. Don’t be afraid to fail. Work your hardest at your basketball skills and keep trying.