Growing up playing basketball in the Central Valley, Karaya Gage found herself, for better or worse, inexorably drawn to the sidelines.

During her senior year at Bakersfield High School, a heart condition kept her off the court: “I would say that was like my first introduction into coaching,” she said, “sitting on the sideline and being able to see things from that perspective.”

Reporter Henry Greenstein can be reached at 661-395-7374. Follow him on Twitter: @HenryGreenstein.