Submitted photo – Jacalyn Gorbet, along with her parents and Del Norte coach Dylan Nelson, at her recent letter signing ceremony.

By Ray Hamill — There will be plenty of local interest in the College of the Sequoias women’s basketball team next winter.

In addition to 2023/24 Big 5 co-MVP Kaitlin Giacone, who recently signed a letter of intent to play for the Giants, Del Norte’s all-league selection Jacalyn Gorbet also is taking her talents to Visalia.

Gorbet, who was Del Norte’s most dangerous player last winter, recently signed her letter of intent to play for the community college program and is looking forward to the opportunity and the next chapter in her life.

Similar to Giacone, the Del Norte graduate had originally committed to play for Butte College after graduation, but when Roadrunners head coach Tyler Newton announced he was leaving Butte to coach at Sequoias, Gorbet made the decision to follow him to Visalia.

Newton built a state powerhouse program at Butte and is expected to continue that success at Sequoias, and that made the decision easier for Gorbet.

“I took a week to think about it,” the Del Norte graduate said. “And I really just wanted to stick with my decision and I followed Tyler to Sequoias.”

Gorbet made the move south this past weekend and will begin practice with her new team this week.

And, according to her high school coach Dylan Nelson, it was an opportunity she has worked hard for and one he feels is fully deserved.

“Her hard work and a desire to improve every day as a player and individual has allowed her this opportunity,” he said. “We are all proud of her, and personally I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of her journey.”

Gorbet, who also was a Big 5 all-league honorable mention as a junior, will likely continue to play guard at the collegiate level, although she says she will be happy to fill whatever role Newton asks of her.

Gorbet also played two years of high school volleyball as a freshman and sophomore, but admits basketball has always been her favorite sport ever since she began playing rec ball as a fifth grader.

And one person in particular played a big role in her journey.

“I never really played any sport until the fifth grade,” she said. “But my dad [David Gorbet] was the one who really convinced me to play. So I tried out and did the rec league and I really liked it.

“And I’ve been playing ever since.”

Redwood Elementary School coach Nick Perez also played a big role in her career.

“I think what really helped me stay with it was Nick Perez,” she said. “He would like drive girls down to practice with the Beasts [in Eureka].”

Gorbet also praised the influence of high school coaches Lauren Lesina, Justin Clifton and Nelson for the positive impact they all had on her career, as wall as teammate Anyessa Bettega, whom she described as “a great teammate and ball player.”

The move is a big one for the Del Norte graduate, but after visiting the area a few times she says she likes what she has seen.

“The campus is very new and clean and they really prioritize sports,” said Gorbet, who wants to be a nurse. “That was cool. And they have a new women’s basketball locker room.”

Gorbet admits at first she was a little nervous at making such a big move, but now she’s looking forward to the opportunity and an exciting new chapter in her life.

Making the move a little easier is the fact that her Del Norte teammate Breann Winingham is also traveling to Visalia to play for the College of the Sequoias volleyball team after she had originally committed to play for Santa Rosa JC.

As for what Gorbet will remember the most from her time at Del Norte, basketball is front and center.

“Definitely sports, for sure,” she said. “The majority of my memories are from sports, and hanging out with friends and the river and the beach. I have great memories.”

And she hopes that will continue as she gets set for the next big adventure.

“I’m really excited for what the next chapter holds,” she said. “And I’m excited to push myself with my new team and create more memories.”