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Sports

Multitalented Gross Hooping It Up at Santana

On the court, the 6-foot-1-inch senior looks to be her team's 'Sultan of swat' on defense.

It's difficult to figure just where the girls basketball team stands in the this season.

One sure thing is 6-foot-1-inch senior Kim Gross is the stalwart in the ' attack. The daughter of Santana head football coach Dave Gross and the brother of tight end TD Gross, Kim has a rowing scholarship to Sacramento State in hand.

That hasn't impeded her dominance on the basketball court, though it's obvious her performance is not measured solely by her statistics there.

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"Her influence extends far beyond basketball," said Santana basketball coach Mark Tipton, whose Sultans began the season with a four-game split in the Vaquero Shootout.

Spending her winters camped in the paint is merely one of Gross' multiple interests, which include performing as a blue-chipper in volleyball and as a leader in student government–not to mention a 4.6 GPA in the classroom.

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To Gross' way of thinking it's all about time management.

"I try to stay on top of things," she said. "I like to think I have a good memory, but I keep all my schedules and calendars on the refrigerator."

Considering Gross is engrossed in basketball season at the moment doesn't mean that is her lone focus.

"She is passionate no matter what she does," said former Santana senior point guard Alyssa Padberg, who has since gone on to college.

Santana pulled off a healthy set of double-doubles in a 69-58 romp over Valley Center at the Vaquero Shootout. Sammy White poured in 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Gross added 18 points and 13 boards.

Senior Amanda Grable, junior Haley Burton and senior Margie Panknin also figure in Santana's attack down the road.

Special to Santee Patch from East County Sports.com

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