Daily Pilot High School Athlete of the Week:

Once the so-called big article on Jenny Boldizar came out, Boldizar said many learned who she was.

“I’m a scorer now,” she said.

Making six three-pointers in a girls’ basketball game can be a good thing and a bad one. The junior gained exposure locally after coming off the bench to lead Estancia High to a victory against rival Costa Mesa last week.

At the same time, the career-high 22-point performance in the Battle for the Bell put added pressure on Boldizar.

“I need to put the ball in the basket,” Boldizar said.

When the guard failed to make a three-pointer in the following game, Boldizar broke down.

The Eagles still won the Orange Coast League game at Calvary Chapel, but in a way, Boldizar felt she let herself down, her teammates. Co-Coach Xavier Castellano said Boldizar is learning there are other ways to contribute to the team than just scoring.

Having an off game was still hard for Boldizar to deal with after Estancia’s latest victory.

“I knew that they were going to guard me,” Boldizar said. “My shot was not falling. I think I got off two shots the whole game.”

Boldizar had nine field-goal attempts and made one, giving her two points for the game. Nights like that will happen to the best of shooters.

Castellano said he wants to see how Boldizar responds next week. The Eagles (12-11, 4-1 in league) are going to need Boldizar at home in a showdown with league leader Godinez (15-8, 5-0) on Tuesday.

The Eagles’ lone loss in league was to the Grizzlies. With three league games left, Estancia is in a must-win situation if it wants to claim its first league crown since the 2002-03 season.

Boldizar said this season is the one Estancia returns to the top. She named the reasons why: seniors like Erika Soto and Kelsey Asher need to go out with a league title.

Boldizar also had a message for the Grizzlies.

“Tell them to watch out,” Boldizar said. “We’re going to come after them. We’re going to kill them.”

From a player who Castellano describe as a quiet 4.0 student, Boldizar sent a bold statement. She’s come a long way since her freshman season.

When current juniors Kassie Stratton, Yessenia Maldonado and Brenda Soto spent their first season on varsity, Boldizar played on the lower level. Boldizar earned a shot to make the jump to varsity last season.

Two things stood out to Castellano: Boldizar’s attitude and commitment.

“They improved dramatically,” said Castellano, who also saw another part of Boldizar’s game blossom.

Boldizar is the first to tell you her shot wasn’t the smoothest.

“Oh my goodness,” said Boldizar, who averages 7.7 points per game, second best on the team. “When I first joined the team, I couldn’t shoot if my life depended on it. I could not make a shot even if somebody paid me $1,000 to make it.”

Over the summer, when Boldizar said all she did was “shoot, shoot, shoot,” she became an outside threat.

Boldizar affirmed that to Castellano late in a summer league game. The Eagles’ go-to player is Stratton. Late in the contest, Estancia went to Boldizar with the game on the line. The rest was history.

“Jenny hit the game-winner,” Castellano said. “After that, she knew, ‘You know what? I can score, too.’ ”

Opponents are convinced as well.