Senior point guard Ameli Sanchez has become a bellwether of confidence for Stagg.

But as a freshman, Sanchez was a bit timid when it came to shooting the ball. She was afraid of making a mistake in her first season on the varsity for the Chargers.

No longer. And there’s another part of her game that’s always been apparent — energy. Combine the two, and it’s a potent formula of success for both her and her team.

“I think that’s what grew me into the player I am now,” Sanchez said of her freshman season. “I think letting go of that just helped me grow into my potential.”

The 5-foot-10 Sanchez expended a ton of energy Tuesday night, capably handling double teams and scoring 12 points for host Stagg in 44-29 win over Oak Lawn in Palos Hills.

On the other side of the ball, Sanchez was responsible in helping to double team Oak Lawn (6-7) at half court. Hard to do for 32 minutes, but that’s where confidence plays a role.

How did she build up her demeanor that’s paying such dividends?

“I had a lot of help from my parents,” Sanchez said. “They’re hard on me, but they are pushing me to let go of my mistakes. I was taking one or two shots a game.

“I still am focused about what I do, but I just play.”

So does senior guard Nicole Hobart, who led Stagg (6-7) with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Oak Lawn got a big game from junior forward Danielle Dempsey with 11 points and nine rebounds. Senior forward Maeve Hassett added six points on a pair of 3-pointers.

Stagg coach Bill Turner, meanwhile, said that Sanchez has certainly developed her confidence. But he marveled at her energy Tuesday.

“She’s played a lot of basketball, between travel and high school,” Turner said. “She plays the game at a level most other people don’t as far as energy, enthusiasm and resiliency.

“She’s what makes us go. She does it all.”

Energy and confidence is not only about scoring and preventing the opponent from doing the same. It’s also about leadership, where Sanchez excels.

Turner thinks so, as so does junior forward Shannon Earley, Sanchez’s teammate.

“Ameli is always there, always hyping us up, making sure we’re ready to play together,” Earley said. “She’s a very good leader.”

As a captain, Sanchez feels like she can’t ever be seen as down on herself.

Even if she has had a rough game, Sanchez leverages her energy so her teammates feed off that and, in turn, pick her up.

“I’m always like, ‘Come on, let’s go,’” she said. “Energy is the big thing for our team and a positive mindset, even when things don’t go right.”

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Maybe she didn’t shoot as much as she could have as a freshman, but these days, Sanchez shows a considerable touch.

Case in point? A jumper she hit from the right baseline midway through the third quarter that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. She reacted with a fist pump, igniting her team.

The Chargers proceeded to put together a 10-0 run that essentially sealed the game.

While she has the rest of her senior year to enjoy, she’s excited about playing next season for North Central College. The reasons for her choice are many — her parents can see her play, she can pursue a degree in physical therapy and she loves the Naperville community.

The question is whether Sanchez will have the type of confidence as a freshman again that she has right now.

“I believe I will have the same confidence,” she said. “I think I can keep that confidence.”

Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.