IE VARSITY GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, 2024-25
Name: Cydnee Bryant
School: Centennial
Year: Junior
Sports: Basketball and Volleyball
Notable highlights: Cydnee Bryant always was in the middle of the action.
Bryant, who stands 6-foot-4, was the Inland Empire’s most dominant middle blocker during volleyball season and then was one of the area’s premier post players when basketball season arrived. She helped both teams go unbeaten in Big VIII League play, and Bryant was an IE Varsity first-team selection in both of those sports.
And that is why Bryant has been chosen the IE Varsity Girls Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Portrait of Corona’s Centennial’s Cydnee Bryant, who has been chosen the IE Varsity Girls Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 school year, on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Portrait of Corona’s Centennial’s Cydnee Bryant, who has been chosen the IE Varsity Girls Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 school year, on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Bryant played only eight volleyball matches during her sophomore season following a transfer from Sage Hill but was impressive in limited action. Bryant played a full slate this past season and averaged 3.1 kills per set while leading the team with a .450 attacking percentage. She also led the Huskies by tallying 78 total blocks.
In the winter, Bryant showed why she is one of the fastest rising recruits in the 2026 class, as she averaged a mind-boggling 21.7 points and 16.8 rebounds per game. Bryant posted a double-double in all but one game (25 total). By the end of the season, she had shot to No. 37 in the ESPN/Hoop Gurlz Class of 2026 rankings.
“It was pretty grueling and that really tested me physically and mentally because I didn’t get a break between those two seasons,” Bryant said about moving from volleyball to basketball. “What kept me going is knowing that I had to be there for my team. I’m playing for the name on the front of my jersey, my school and my girls.”
Bryant has a strong pedigree. Her father, D’Cean, was a standout basketball player at Long Beach State and has been a successful high school coach in recent years. Her mother, Sabrina Torres, was a standout athlete, as well, and played volleyball at La Sierra University. One of her uncles, Maurice Torres, was an All-American volleyball player at Pepperdine. And older brother, Carter, could be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft next week.
“It does takes a village, and I have an amazing support staff around me. I know can go to them for anything that I might need,” Bryant said. “My mom is my superhero, She has done everything and goes all out to make sure all of us have what we need, want and desire. … And if she is working or can’t be there, there is always someone to step in. When things get tough mentally, it’s good knowing you have people looking out for you.”
At the moment, Bryant said it is her desire to play both sports at the collegiate level.
“That is my goal and a lot of schools out there are willing to give me a chance to do that,” Bryant said.
Bryant has set some lofty goals for her senior season.
“Winning a CIF championship would be something I would like to see happen,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy. There are some great teams out there, but I’m excited to see what both of our teams can accomplish.”
