On the court, senior backup point guard and team co-captain RONNIE CANTU has to process countless variables when directing the offense, from what set the Hilltoppers are running to what schemes the defense has shown to the strengths and weaknesses of all ten players on the court. 
 
Delivering the perfect pass results from years of pattern recognition, skill development, and chemistry built with teammates. 
 
Off the court, racking up assists is as simple as showing up. And that's what the St. Edward's women's basketball team has done every week for the kids at Travis Heights Elementary as part of the Hilltoppers' mentorship program with the neighboring school. 
 
"It's as simple as greeting the kids when walking into the classroom, asking them about their week, helping with class assignments, and even having motivating conversations about school, sports, and life," Cantu says. "There's nothing greater than working toward and being the change in a community that puts others before themselves. That is how I've found my purpose. As a student-athlete, we must use our knowledge and experiences to foster the minds of future generations."
 
The mentorship program enters its second year and is the brainchild of St. Edward's women's basketball graduate assistant Shakera Barnes. 
 
"I think giving back to the community has always been a thing that I love, especially to the youth," Barnes says. "We don't have a lot of time throughout the week, especially during the season, but to be able to [go to the school] every week is important to us and the kids." 
 
The women's basketball team goes to Travis Heights three days a week and works in a combination of one-on-one mentoring with kids and assisting teachers in the classroom. The Hilltoppers do everything from reading to classes to helping with reading and math assignments or simply spending time with a kid who is having a tough day and needs a break. 
 
"I'm incredibly grateful for the partnership with the St. Edward's women's basketball program," Travis Height Elementary Principal Michelle Navarro says. "Our Thunderbirds have been inspired, motivated, and mentored by incredible athletes who spend time building relationships that will leave a lasting impact on our students' lives." 
 
That service to the community has defined a women's basketball program deeply rooted in its love for that community. 
 
Head coach J.J. Riehl had an accomplished playing career for the Hilltoppers from 1998-2002 and has run the program since 2012. Assistant Khiani Clark and Barnes were teammates at St. Edward's for two seasons from 2015 to 2017. They are the only coaching staff at St. Edward's to be comprised entirely of alums. 
 
Barnes says the team's commitment to positively impacting the community was as prevalent then as now. Then, Barnes explains, the team took its lead from graduate assistant Jaimie Kadlecek. 
 
"I played at St. Edward's for two years, and I feel like we did over 400 hours of community service during that time," Barnes says. "That giving back always stuck with me, and that started with Jaimie." 
 
Cantu considers herself fortunate to have worked with Travis Heights Elementary in a classroom environment and as part of one-on-one mentorships. 
 
"It's easily the most gratifying start to my day and week. Watching these students find comfort in growing a friendship feels like I suddenly have 20 little brothers and sisters," Cantu explains. "I'm lucky to have an older sister who has shaped me more than most. So, providing that relatability to kids and just being an outlet for them, whether it's brought on by frustration or happiness, is what the mentorship is all about. It's about being the best role model for them and, above all else, lending them the hand I know my younger self needed at that age. It's truly a rewarding feeling." 
 
On Monday, December 18, St. Edward's will host Travis Heights' third, fourth, and fifth-grade classes when the Hilltoppers take on Arlington Baptist. It's the second consecutive year the Travis Heights Thunderbirds will visit to watch their mentors compete. 
 
"[Last year was] hands down the greatest crowd I've ever played for. From the chants to the loud cheers to the personal posters, it's all you could ask for from a Hilltopper fan base, and they perfected it," Cantu says. "They definitely set the bar high, so I can't wait to see what the kids have in store for us this year." 
 
"Those kids look forward to seeing the team every week, and they're grateful for it," Barnes adds. "Now that they get to come to be part of our day like we are theirs every week, it's exciting. I can't wait to have them." 
 
Basketball is a collaborative sport, and scoring is a team effort, but an assist puts stats in two box score columns instead of one. And with Travis Heights Elementary on campus cheering its mentors, the wins go far beyond what any box score could contain.