Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 4-9-20 E-edition

Thursday, April 9, 2020
CIF cancels sports for remainder of school year
MVT Staff Report
The California Interscholastic Fed- eration, the state’s high school sports governing body, announced last week the cancelation of the spring sports season in response to the impact of
COVID-19.
Last month, the CIF had canceled
the state basketball championship games that included the regional and state finals. Governor Gavin Newsome and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, had made
statements regarding distance learning for the remaining school year.
The outcome was expected as schools began to shutter its doors weeks ago to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
In a press release on April 3, CIF
Executive Director Ron Nocetti wrote, "The CIF does not see an avenue for the spring sports to continue. As such, in consultation today with the 10 Section Commissioners, the decision has been made to cancel spring section, regional and state championship events."
Wilkinson resigns as RHS girls hoops coach
Lady Cardinals soccer program in great shape for next season
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Citing family reasons, Matt Wilkinson resigned as head coach for the Reedley High varsity girls basketball program.
Wilkinson — who posted a 42-45 record in three years while building a program that reached the Central Sec- tion Division 4 quarterfi- nals this past season — made the announcement in a letter to his players along with parents and fans. He said it was “with a heavy heart” that he de- cided to step down.
“While this is the most difficult decision that I have ever had to make in my coaching career, it will allow me to priori- tize my family time and be more present as a hus- band and father, especial- ly in the lives of my two young boys,” Wilkinson said in the letter.
Wilkinson coached the Pirates’ junior varsi- ty team to a 17-3 record (10-0 in league) in 2016- 17, then took over a var- sity program coming off a 4-19 season. That first year, Reedley improved to 9-19, 5-5 in league.
In 2018-19, talented freshman Miah Paz teamed with a returning nucleus of players and the Pirates went 14-15, qualifying for the section playoffs where they lost to third-seeded Sierra Pacific High from Han- ford. That season, Reed- ley also captured its first tournament champion- ship in years by winning the Parlier Invitational.
The Pirates took a big jump in 2019-2020, win- ning a second straight Parlier tourney title and threatening early
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Matt WIlkinson, shown watching his team play against Fowler High at the Parlier Tournament in January, has resigned as Reedley High basketball coach citing family commitments. Wilkinson went 42-45 in three seasons, capped by a 19-11 record in 2019-2020 that included a trip to the Central Section Division 4 quarterfinals.
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
Without a doubt, the Orosi High girls soccer team will again be primed for another terrific run next season.
The Lady Cardinals closed their season with an opening round 2-0 loss to El Camino of Sacramento in the CIF Northern Cali- fornia Regional champion- ships last month. The set- back ended a 16-game win streak as the team finished with a 22-2-6 record. Orosi also wrapped up the West Sequoia League with an 11- 0-1 mark.
“The season was phe- nomenal. Everything about it,” said first-year head coach Jesse Camarena. “Sometimes you got to get lucky to win.”
Orosi pulled out con- secutive penalty kick wins against Exeter and Orcutt
Academy before securing the programs second Valley title in three years with a 2-1 overtime win over East Bakersfield in the Central Section Division IV final.
Camarena, who also won a Valley title as a mem- ber of the OHS boys soccer team in 2013, said they will lose four seniors including midfielder Emily Gonzalez and goalie Mireay Lua.
“They will be missed,” Camarena said.
Leading the way for Camarena next year will be a slew of juniors led by Melanie Davila, Kimberly Caballero, Victoria Queve- do, Stephanie Figueroa and Ashley Ruiz.
“I told the girls that we can’t be satisfied winning it the first time” Camarena said. “Everyone is going to hunt for you. We’ll have a big X on our back. We have to work hard and take no days off.”
in league play before Paz missed a number of games with a concussion. Senior guard Precious Hawkins, who missed her junior season with a knee injury, also missed a good portion of her final campaign with a similar knee injury.
But Reedley turned it around in the postseason, buoyed by the return of Paz and Hawkins. The Pirates defeated Mira Monte of Bakersfield and battled second-seed Orcutt Academy much of the game before los- ing in the quarterfinals to cap off a 19-11 season.
“I have to brag on the kids for what they ac- complished this season: first winning season in nearly 20 years, first home playoff game in 37
years, second consecu- tive playoff appearance in nearly 20 years, first playoff win in at least 20 years,” Wilkinson said.
The coach credited his staff of assistants — Bryan Harman, Ben Bowden, Jacob James and Daryn Davis — for their work in the team’s success. “I am particular- ly grateful to seniors Pre- cious Hawkins, Madison Haney and Abby Delport, who I have had the op- portunity to coach over the last three years,” he said.
Wilkinson, who teach- es English and English language arts at River- view Elementary School, said he will miss the opportunity to coach Reedley High players, particular Paz who he
said will lead the charge for the future of the pro- gram. The sophomore is on pace to shatter the school’s career scoring record in girls basketball.
“I am so proud of all that was accomplished over the past three sea- sons, and will forever be grateful for my time at Reedley High School,” Wilkinson said.
Darren Minami, Reedley High athletic director, said that job postings currently are on hold due to the ongo- ing COVID-19 situation. However, he hopes to soon be able to post the position and go through a full hiring process. There is no definitive timeline, but Minami hopes to fill the position as soon as possible.
Sanger High Athletic
Hall of Fame induction
banquet put on hold
MVT Staff Report
The 2020 Sanger Hall of Fame banquet, which was set for May 2, has now been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. A date for the event will be announced at a later time.
“We are discussing possible options as we monitor how the pandemic proceeds,” said Brian Pen- nyer, Sanger High School’s Athletic Director and chairperson for the hall of fame committee.
Topping the list of this year’s inductees was
Sanger High’s 1951 Val- ley Championship football team, a team credited with fueling a long-standing commitment to Apache football.
Others in the 2020 hall of fame class include aquatics stars Mark Wallin and Scott Jett, three-sports standouts Tony Herron and Staci Mosher, wres- tler Jaime Garza, track re- cord holder Diana Macias Copeland, Sanger High program contributor Pat Henry, and coaches Jack Tiftick and Del Beshore.
of the Week
Esther Villa - Reedley High Girls Wrestling
Reedley High’s Esther Villa placed fth in the 160-pound weight class at the Central Section girls grand masters championship inBakers eldonFeb. 22.
Earlier, VillacapturedtheNorth Yosemite League championship
in her weight class and nished fourth in the Northwest Section Championships. Sheposteda seasonrecordof 34-13with29pins.
(Editor’s Note: Because of the COVID-19 crisis canceling spring sports for an inde nite period, we are pro ling a Reedley-area athlete in place of an athlete of the week.)
REEDLEY 555 I STREET
559-638-2300
www.xcelerate tness.com
Jordynn Acevedo
DINUBA HIGH GIRLS SOFTBALL
Dinuba High senior catcher Jordynn Acevedo batted .438 for the Lady Emperors softball team. Prior
to the season being canceled, Acevedo had 14 hits and 11 runs batted in.
Jack Tiftick
Jaime Garza
Diana Macias Copeland
Mark Wallin
Del Beshore
Pat Henry
Tony Herron
Scott Jett
Staci Mosher
Athlete
005813
006852