Second-best not enough for Hazen point guard

Being second-best never suited Monica Nevi.

The Hazen High School senior has excelled at pretty much everything she's tried, and that list is long. She might be best known as one of the most consistent and best all-around basketball players in the Seamount League.

Nevi also is a two-time state qualifier in golf, a three-time letter-winner in track and field, an honor student and student-body officer.

But in the college-recruiting game, Nevi has been nixed thus far. One coach after another has called to say, "You're No. 2 on our list, but, sorry, our No. 1 choice has committed."

"It has not been much fun," Nevi said.

But it gives her more fire on the court. "I've always kind of played with a chip on my shoulder," she said. "I just try to keep motivated."

Nevi's biggest motivation is trying to lead the Highlanders of Renton to the Class 3A state tournament for the first time since 1991. They fell one game short her freshman year and two games last season. "It always seems like it's so close, but it's so far," Nevi said.

If the Highlanders successfully climb that hill this season, Nevi will be the navigator. The 5-foot-7 point guard has led the team to a 2-1 start in league play with the lone loss coming against sixth-ranked Kennedy High of Burien. She is the league's top scorer at 18.8 points a game and averages 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 steals and 4.0 assists.

Jeff Bernhardt, Hazen's third head coach in the past four years, calls Nevi a fiery competitor who displays outstanding leadership on and off the court.

Nevi is Hazen's best player and the team's hardest worker, he said.

"She loves to get her teammates involved, but she knows when to take over a game," Bernhardt said.

Nevi had one of her most well-rounded games earlier this season against Renton: 19 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and seven steals. She started every game as a freshman and averaged 13.4 points, 3.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals. She pushed her scoring average to 19.0 as a sophomore and 20.7 last season.

Nevi's most impressive number: 31 consecutive games scoring in double figures.

She started playing basketball in first grade and chose to play on a co-ed team because it gave her better competition. Her parents, Pam and Ron Nevi, never had to push her.

"She drives herself hard," Nevi's mother said.

Nevi is involved in leadership programs at Hazen and rarely has spare time. "I try to get some down time, but I feel bad when I'm not doing anything — like I should be doing something," she said.

For the Hazen basketball team, Nevi does it all.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com