For Tristin Baxter, it was all about getting comfortable zinging the ball around the pool again. Her approach powered a Central Section title-winning water polo team.

Baxter carried Clovis West High to the Division I girls championship after getting over a strength-robbing shoulder injury around midseason.

She is The Bee’s Player of the Year.

Baxter, who suffered an injury to her right shoulder in the 2007 section final, was slow to unleash her shot early in the season. But she turned things around with 12 goals in four games at the NorCal Championships in Menlo, a tournament that featured 16 of the top programs in Northern California. Baxter helped the Golden Eagles finish fourth.

The junior went on to score four goals — including the eventual winner — in Clovis West’s 9-5 victory over three-time defending champion Buchanan in the D-I final. Baxter finished the season with 79 goals and 67 steals.

“There was definitely frustration in the beginning throwing the ball,” Clovis West coach Scott Torosian said. “But once she started throwing the ball hard and shooting better, that’s when she took off for the season.”

Vitals: Clovis West, junior

She’s qualified because: Earned Tri-River Athletic Conference and All-Valley MVP honors after leading the Golden Eagles to the Division I championship. Scored four goals in Clovis West’s 9-5 victory over Buchanan in the final. Finished season with 79 goals, 67 steals, 21 assists and 39 ejections drawn.

Defining moment: Finally put the lingering effects of a near year-old shoulder injury behind her with a 12-goal performance over four games at the NorCal Championships in late September. “She was playing well before that, but as far as shooting, you could see it taking off at the NorCal Championships,” Clovis West coach Scott Torosian said.

Career highlights: Was a Bee water polo All-Star after scoring 83 goals with 70 steals and 32 assists as a sophomore. Baxter is also an accomplished swimmer and as a freshman was named The Bee’s first Swimmer of the Year in spring 2007 after posting automatic All-American times while winning section titles in the 200 and 500 free races. Followed that win a section title in the 500 free in 2008 to earn All-Bee swimming honors again as a sophomore.

The word: “She can do it all. She can play offense, she can play defense, she can make the right passes. Her experience and knowledge of the game makes her a great player.” — Clovis West coach Scott Torosian

Opposing take: “I remember seeing her play man-up with her left hand while she had that injured shoulder, and she played almost as well with her left hand as her right. That’s the sign of a true athlete. She definitely knows how to score goals.” — El Diamante coach Jon Conrad

The reporter can be reached at nickg@fresnobee.com or (559) 622-2407.