On Nov. 25, 2023 in Bellingham Washington, Sunny Huerta reached 1,000 points in her career as a Wildcat while playing against the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Dragons.

Huerta is a 5’4” junior guard from Whittier, California who joined the Wildcats in 2021 after graduating from Saint Paul high school. Huerta’s first season with the Wildcats was very successful as she started in 24 out of her 32 games and averaged 8.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 31.9 minutes per game.

Basketball has been a huge part of Huerta’s life and this is only the beginning for her. “I started playing basketball when I was five and I would play with my older brothers on our hoop at our house, and ever since then I never stopped playing,” Huerta said.

Though her hometown is now over 1,000 miles from CWU, Huerta explained the immediate draws that initially attracted her to Ellensburg.

“I chose to play at CWU because I loved the culture and [my head coach], and I knew I could be successful here,” Huerta said.

Huerta continued the hot streak during her next season with the Wildcats having started and played in all 30 games, averaged 18.4 points per game and earned First-Team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) honors in the 2022-2023 season.

Surpassing the 1,000 point mark is a significant milestone in collegiate basketball. “I didn’t know that I was close to reaching my 1,000 point and so I went into that game just like any other game,” Huerta said. “It wasn’t until a few weeks later that a teammate of mine had told me that I got my 1,000 point.”

Huerta’s mentality didn’t stray when facing the Dragons as she remained focused and ready to put up a fight. In this game alone she scored 30 points, making it her highest scoring game of the 2023-2024 season so far.

“She’s been a joy to coach,” said head coach Randi Richardson about Huerta. “Sunny has a natural ‘feel’ as a basketball player [and] that is something you cannot coach, it is innate in her. Her ball handling and shooting skill set is tremendous and when you couple that with athleticism, ‘feel’ and work ethic, it’s a pretty special combination. She’s a wonderful and selfless teammate, [and] she is developing into a great leader.” 

Huerta has proven herself as one of the most crucial offensive players for the women’s basketball team; the Wildcats have completed a little more than half of their season and Huerta’s career points scored are only anticipated to rise as she is now at 1,161.

Their next game will take place tonight, Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Nicholson Arena in Ellensburg, Washington. Fans will have to wait until 7:00 p.m. to see how the Wildcats’ current season record of 13-5 will be swayed as they take on the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.