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She was determined to make that dream a reality. Through perseverance, faith and lots of hard work, she did.

Lopez made it to the JV team during her sophomore year and by the time she was a junior, she finally got the call-up she had been waiting for.

“I knew the game was a lot faster and you got to be quick, but it was really nice to have a coach who had the faith in me to be able to pull me up and I was very thankful,� Lopez said, adding: “It’s nice to have a team that loves the same thing you do, that comes together every single day, and it’s just nice being around people who love what you do.�

Now, Lopez, a senior at the school, is a co-captain of the varsity team alongside senior Nevaeh Urenda, who’s averaging 17 points, six rebounds and six assists through the first several games of her final season at Flowing Wells.

Urenda recently eclipsed 900 career points, an achievement she hit during the Lady Caballeros’ 55-33 win against Casa Grande High School on Dec. 13 — the same night Flowing Wells celebrated 50 years of Lady Cabs basketball.

“It feels good because I see a bunch of other people hit milestones around me, so it feels good to be able to hit those milestones, (too),� Urenda said. “And hopefully in the next couple of games, I’ll be at 1,000 (career points), so we’ll see.�

The girls’ journeys are the “perfect example of two journeys coming together but from different spaces,� said Michael Perkins, the Flowing Wells girls basketball coach for the last 20 years.

Urenda, a fierce competitor, was a varsity starter from the very beginning of her high school career, while Lopez, a dedicated player, had to work up to varsity status.

Lopez says there were times she faced mental challenges while working her way up to varsity, often doubting her own worth. But her parents, Perkins and her faith got her through those challenging times.

But no matter how the girls made it to the varsity level, they had the drive and passion to be at their best from the very beginning of their high school journeys. They credit their lifelong passion for basketball to their siblings who inspired them to play.

“They’re both just terrific people,� Perkins said. “They both come from great families. They are both what we call ‘Flowing Wells kids,’ that grow up in the district. They’re just great people, and then to have them commit to Lady Cabs basketball is just really cool.�

While they’ve only been playing together for the last two years, the two have developed a tight bond.

“Isa is like my partner in crime, and we have a great time all the time,� Urenda said. “Sometimes we may not play at the same time, but I feel like me and her are always on the same page, no matter what it is.�

Even their coaches have picked up on their silly and outgoing personalities, often referring to them as the “knucklehead captains,� according to Lopez.

But those “knucklehead captains� are part of the reason Flowing Wells is currently 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the 5A Southern Conference.

With the basketball season starting only a month ago, the two plan on soaking up every second of their final season with the Lady Cabs.

“I try not to be sad about it because it’s a new beginning,� Urenda said. “But it’s not really the end for me because I’m gonna continue playing and I don’t think I’ll be too far away, because my sister’s gonna be playing, too, so, I’ll still have some type of connection here. But it’s just a little nostalgic for me because I’ve been here for four years and now those four years are about to be up.�

Lopez feels similarly, saying that she’s thankful for her time with the team and the memories she’ll leave with.

Despite their competitiveness on the court and dedication to school off the court — both girls have GPAs above 3.8 — the girls are still your typical high school students who enjoy doing things like hanging out with friends and catching up on sleep.

Both have deep passions for activities outside of basketball, too.

Lopez is actively involved in her church, which includes volunteering with children and attending services every Sunday. As a singer for the last several years, it was a no-brainer for Lopez to join the choir when she started at Flowing Wells.

Urenda loves building LEGO sets or doing hair and makeup during her free time, a hobby she picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both are set to graduate next year and already have big plans for post-graduation life.

Lopez plans on going to college to become an elementary school teacher, while Urenda aims to study marketing in college. She hopes to go to the University of Notre Dame.

As they finish up their senior year, the girls are focused on making the best of their time at Flowing Wells — hopefully with a few more achievements and milestones under their belts before they go.

“They’re the kids that I want my young kids to model themselves after when I look for role models,� Perkins said. “We’ve talked about celebrating 50 years of Lady Cabs basketball and many of the women that reached out to me … mentioned their role models that they looked up to, the seniors that they looked up to when they were freshmen.

“So, those are those girls now, being those seniors, being those role models for our young freshmen, for our junior-high kids that come up and watch the games, things like that. Those are the kids we want to continue to foster, continue to grow and continue to be great role models in our community.�

Fast five with Nevaeh and Isa

Nevaeh

Who is your basketball inspiration?

My brother.

If you could participate in a basketball shootout with any basketball player, who would it be?

For fun, Caitlin Clark. To win, Angel Reese.

What is your favorite makeup lip product right now?

The e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil.

What is your dream LEGO set?

A makeup vanity.

What is your current favorite class?

Piano. This is the first year that I’m taking it and I’ve been having a blast.

Isa

Who is your favorite basketball team?

Indiana Fever

Who is your basketball inspiration?

Caitlin Clark.

What is your favorite basketball shoe?

LaMelo Ball’s Puma line. I saw they’re coming out with some (Teenage Mutant) Ninja Turtle ones and I really want those.

What is your favorite Christmas song to sing?

“White Christmas.�

What is your current favorite class?

Math.