It seems like every year we say there is a tough decision for one of our major awards but this year may be one of the toughest choices we have ever had to make for State Freshman of the Year since Charisma Osborne edged out Haley Jones for the 2016 honor.

There are those who will argue whatever the choice, but this year it’s the 6-foot-3 post prodigy Cunningham that gets the nod by the slimmest of margins over Windward of Los Angeles sensation Juju Watkins. In the future, these two may continue to battle for post-season awards just like Jones and Osborne did going back and forth three times for individual honors.

“Breya exceeded all expectations we had for her this season,” said La Jolla Country Day head coach Terri Bamford, who last summer predicted Cunningham would be one of the top posts in the country and the best in Torreys’ history.

Cunningham averaged a double-double 17.3 points and 11.8 rebounds with 3.3 blocks per game, and did this on a Cal-Hi Sports No. 1 ranked team where Ms. Basketball Te-hina Paopao had the ball in her hands a lot of the time. Unlike a lot of freshmen that have a hard time converting in the paint Cunningham was smooth after the catch and shot 61 percent from the field.

In 33 games, she had 26 double-doubles, including 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 44-43 victory over Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) in the title game of the top division of the Nike TOC. In the previous game, Cunningham had 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 62-54 semi win against CIF NorCal Open champion Archbishop Mitty of San Jose.

Cunningham had two crucial baskets and four key rebounds in a 14-4 run to close out the game in a 59-48 victory over Windward in which she had a double-double 16 points and 13 rebounds with four blocks. She was over 30 points three times, including a season high 35 points with 13 rebounds in a win over Mission Hills of San Marcos at the SoCal Holiday Classic, and that was preceded by a 31-point and 12-rebound total with six blocks performance against Clovis West of Fresno, and followed by a win over Rosary Academy of Fullerton where Breya went for 27 points and 16 rebounds. Another amazing fact is a lot of young and even older big girls get called for a lot of fouls, but Cunningham only fouled out twice, but not in the final 27 games of the season.

“She learned to play and guard without fouling,” Bamford remarked. “I feel she is one of the best post players in the country. Breya has great hands, she keeps the ball high and is a very efficient scorer. Her consistency in scoring and rebounding this season was one of the keys to our team’s success this season.”

Cunningham may only be a 14-year-old freshman but not surprisingly colleges are already taking notice of her prowess.

“Breya has a tremendous upside,” Bamford said. “She’s 6-foot-3, athletic, runs the floor, can defend both in the post and on the perimeter, can score on the block and has a good midrange game. She’s working on her perimeter game this off season and that will make her a complete player. Breya has multiple offers already and from power five schools. She may be La Jolla Country Day’s next great.”