ASH FORK — Winning just 15 games in four seasons prior to Isabella Acosta’s arrival, the super sophomore has quickly transformed Ash Fork girls basketball in more ways than those close to the program can count.

During her freshman year, Ash fork won 14 games and made the 1A state playoffs as a No. 8 seed, losing a close one to No. 9 Salome 38-33.

It was the start of something special.

As the No. 5-ranked Spartans enter the 1A Central Region Tournament and into state, they've won an impressive 23 games.

Acosta believes she was built for success thanks to several older siblings being involved in sports.

“I started playing basketball in fourth grade, and I was always surrounded by sports because my older siblings and they introduced me [to the game],” Acosta said. “I would say my older brother played a huge role in my success. He made time for me to play in clubs and spent time with me on the court at our school and at our town park working on my skills.”

Isabella Acosta cheers on her team during the Yvonne Johnson Memorial Shootout in December in Camp Verde. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365)Originally from Ash Fork, Acosta pointed to coach Sonny Martin as someone who has led her down a path of potential greatness.

“He has pushed me every day to be better and allowed me to go into the gym and work as well,” Acosta said.

Martin said his favorite thing about Acosta is how much she focuses on trying to find ways to help her teammates out.

“She works with them during practices and games and she always invites them to come with her to work on skills,” Martin said, adding that his sophomore point guard has grown a lot since freshman year.

“She is finding out that other schools watch videos of her to try and match up with her. She has struggled a few times this season, but has used those struggles to become better,” Martin said.

Martin continued, stating that Acosta’s older siblings have shaped who she is. A humble person, and very coachable. She’s also a great teammate and has no problem putting herself out there.

“On one of our long bus trips, her older brother helps me coach and she challenged him to a rap battle. Everyone on the bus was laughing so hard listening to them,” Martin said. “She is a joy to have on our team.”

Acosta is averaging 15 points per game this season, and has led the Spartans (23-5, 5-2 1A Central) to a second-place finish in region, just behind No. 1-ranked Joseph City, which won the 1A title a season ago in a 64-55 win over Fort Thomas.

Two big goals for the sophomore includes scoring 1,000 points in her career and potentially leading the Spartans to a state title, something the program has never accomplished.

“I think it not only shows my ability to score but would be a huge accomplishment like many other great players,” Acosta said, adding that her team is very strong, and she believes making it to at least the second round of state this year is a possibility.

“There are things we can improve on but overall, I’m very proud of my team,” Acosta said.

The 1A state tournament is set to begin Feb. 16 with Ash Fork likely having a first-round home game.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.