Page 9 - Reedley Exponent 1-11-18 E-edition

B3 | Thursday, January 11, 2018 www.reedleyexponent.com High School Girls Volleyball
Gonsalves steps down at Immanuel
File Photo / The Exponent
Janell Gonsalves is shown here (right) while her daughter, Brooke, signs a letter of intent in 2017. Gonsalves stepped down as head coach of the Immanuel High Eagles girls volleyball team. In four seasons as head coach, Gonsalves compiled a 65-55 overall record and led the Eagles to two Central Section Championships.
By Chris Aguirre
Chris@midvalleypublishing.com
When Immanuel High's volleyball team clinched its second straight Central Sec- tion Title last November, Im- manuel head coach Janell Gonsalves, darted toward the center of the court into the open arms of her overjoyed team.
It was a prime example of what she brought to the team: energy, heart, confidence and, above all, passion.
After four years at Im- manuel, Gonsalves has de- cided to step down from the position to pursue her career as a special education teacher for the Tulare County Office of Education.
The announcement was made in a statement released by the school on Jan. 2. A search for a new coach will begin immediately.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to coach at Im- manuel,” Gonsalves said.
“Thank you to my incredible staff — Ashley Workman, Al- lison Krehbiel and Gabi Gar- za — for their dedication and hard work.”
Immanuel High's Direc- tor of Athletics Josh Franco praised Gonsalves and the work she's done to build the program to what it is today.
“Coach Gonsalves did an excellent job in her position as head coach and was instru- mental in bringing the Im- manuel community together to support the team over the past four years,” Franco said in the press release. “Her presence on campus and lead- ership will be greatly missed.”
Gonsalves, who played at Immanuel in the late 90's and was a member of the 1997 state championship team, re- turned to coach at her alma mater in 2014.
During her time as the Eagles coach, Gonsalves compiled a 65-55 overall re- cord and led the Eagles to three straight Central Section
Led Eagles to two section titles in 2016 and 2017
Championship appearances. Immanuel won the Divi- sion V title in 2016, which was the programs first since 1997. Immanuel then won the Division IV Championship in
2017.
In 2016, Immanuel won
the California State Division V Southern Regional Champi- onship and finished as runner- up in the 2016 Division V CIF State Girls Volleyball Champi- onships.
Some of Coach Gonsalves' players reacted to the news on Twitter.
Lindsay Unruh, who has been a member of the Imman- uel High volleyball program for the past four years said:
“She built the volleyball program from nothing and taught us all it's much more than volleyball,” Unruh said. “I love her and this program with all my heart.”
Aubrey Ventura, who played for Immanuel the past two seasons said on her Twitter:
“She was not only a coach but a mentor and mom to me,” Ventura said. “Thank you for
SeeGONSALVES onpageB4
Fifth Annual Immanuel Invitational Eagles girls hoops earn third place
Chris Aguirre / The Exponent
Roger Ortiz, Reedley High School Pirates basketball player, goes up for a shot during a game against Madera High School during the Jesse Lujan Memorial Tournament. The Pirates lost to the Coyotes 51-41 on Jan. 3 at Selma High.
RHS boys hoops finish 1-3 at Selma tourney
By Chris Aguirre
Chris@midvalleypublishing.com
Led by All-Tournament selection Ava Galpin, the Im- manuel High Eagles girls bas- ketball team captured third place at the Fifth Annual Im- manuel Invitational.
The Eagles went 3-1 in the tournament, which was played Jan. 3 to 6 at Immanuel High, and defeated Washington Union High 60-45 on Jan. 6 to earn third place.
Galpin had 30 points and 21 rebounds. Krystale Gutier- rez had 18 points and 11 re- bounds.
“The team played tough all four games in the tour- nament,” said Phillip Todd, Immanuel High head coach. “Our rebounding and defense improved, and we showed that Immanuel can run and score with the best of them. We were able to show our physi- cality, and we imposed our will inside.”
Galpin averaged 23 points and 16 rebounds per game, while Gutierrez averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The Eagles opened the tournament on Jan. 3 with a 57-31 victory over Sunnyside High School.
Galpin led the Eagles with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Amanda Scheidt and Aaliyah Seuell each had 14 points.
On Jan. 4, Immanuel defeat- ed Washington Union 62-56. It was the Panthers of the season. They entered the game 13-0.
Galpin had 20 points and 16 rebounds. Gutierrez had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Seuell had 12 points.
SeeIMMANUEL onpageB4
Ruben Parks, Reedley College Tigers basketball player, had 21 points in the Tigers' 88-76 loss to West Hills-Coalinga.
The Tigers lost to the Golden Eagles in the Central Valley Conference opener for both teams on Jan. 3 at Reedley College.
As of Jan. 9, the Tigers were 0-2 in the CVC.
Chris Aguirre / The Exponent
By Chris Aguirre
Chris@midvalleypublishing.com
It was a case of close calls for the Reedley High Pirates boys basketball team during the Sixth Annual Jesse Lujan Memorial Tournament.
The Pirates ended the tournament, played Jan. 3 to Jan. 6 at Selma High School, with a 1-3 record.
Reedley High lost one game by 10 points but had two games go into overtime.
As of Jan. 9, the Pirates were 7-9 overall.
“We battled and had three very close games,” said Travis Ferrell, Reedley High head coach. “We played extremely well at times and
SeeREEDLEY onpageB4
Chris Aguirre / The Exponent
Ava Galpin (right), Immanuel High Eagles girls basketball player, led the Eagles to a 3-1 record during the Fifth Annual Immanuel Invitational held Jan. 3 to Jan. 6 at Immanuel High. Galpin averaged 23 points and 16 rebounds in four games in the tournament.
Staff Report
The Reedley College Ti- gers men's basketball team opened Central Valley Con- ference play with two straight home losses.
The Tigers fell to 0-2 in the CVC with a 88-76 loss to West Hills-Coalinga on Jan. 3 and a 67-53 loss on Jan. 6 to Columbia College.
On Jan. 3 against West Hills- Coalinga, Hassan Bolden led the Tigers with 26 points, while Ruben Parks had 21.
Tigers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Ruben Parks had 14 points.
The Tigers played Cerro Coso College on Jan. 10. No score was available at press- time.
Reedley College then will play College of the Sequoias on Saturday, Jan. 13, in Visalia.
They then will play Mer- ced College on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Merced.
RC Women's Basketball
women's basketball team split two games to open CVC play.
The Tigers opened with a 56- 53 loss to West Hills-Lemoore on Jan. 3 at Reedley College.
Reedley College then defeat- ed Taft College 65-55 on Jan. 6.
As of Jan. 9, the Tigers were 10-6 overall and 1-1 in the CVC. The Tigers will play Col- lege of the Sequoias on Satur-
day, Jan. 13, in Visalia.
They then will play Mer-
ced College on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Merced.
On Jan. 6, Bolden led the
The Reedley College Tigers
See TIGERS on page B4
RC athletics briefs