Bouman, Perez Named Paloma Valley Athletes of Month

Athletes of the Month Blake Bouman and Lauren Perez are presented their awards by Larry Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award program.

Basketball standout Blake Bouman and soccer star Lauren Perez have been selected as Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month for January representing Paloma Valley High School.

Perez is a junior defender for the girls soccer team, which beat Temescal Canyon 2-1 on Tuesday to win the Southwestern League title with a 9-0-1 record. That earned the Wildcats a home game in their CIF playoff opener next week. Match-ups will be announced on Monday.

Although she was tried briefly at midfield, Perez has remained where her true value is -- defense. She said she has developed as a player and is more of an outspoken team leader this season.

"I've talked a lot more than last year, when I was pretty quiet," she said. "I really enjoy playing defense. I've been playing it since I was little. I realize defense is pretty important, helping the goalie and distributing the ball to the midfielders."

Bouman, a junior forward-guard, has been a steadying influence for the boys basketball team, which struggled early in the season and finished with a 10-16 overall record. He averaged 8.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and looks forward to returning next year.

"I feel like I've grown a lot as a team player," Bouman said. "We've been through a lot. There was a lot of injuries in the beginning of the season. As everyone came back, we started winning. We did pretty good lately, but a couple games we started out slowly. I'm looking forward to next season."

Bouman, who also plays football, hopes to earn a scholarship to college and go on to medical school.

Perez and Bouman received a certificate and Target gift card from Larry Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award.