Page 13 - Mid Valley Times 8-15-19 E-edition

hursday, August 15, 2019
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Young Reedley volleyball team has high expectations
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
The Reedley High School volleyball team will have a much dif- ferent look this season, but are confident they can still finish the cam- paign carrying a familiar title — North Yosemite League champions.
The Pirates gradu- ated nine seniors from last year’s 32-5-1 squad including league Most Valuable Player Julie Scott and first team selections Nikole Ro- driguez, Reese Kubo, Maddy Gates and Kayla Rocha. They return five players — just two on the front row – as they bid for a third consecu- tive NYL title.
“When you talk about offense, it’s a complete retool of the entire of- fense,” said coach Ken Tatami. “Overall, we still have really high expecta- tions about what the girls are going to do. We feel that they’ll be able to implement the offensive and defensive schemes we want them to do. I think we’ll be fairly suc- cessful.”
This year’s varsity features four seniors, led by middle blocker Madison Haney and back row specialist Lau- ren Betancourt. Tatami said Haney is switching to the middle from oppo- site right side hitter, and will carry a huge load on the offense.
“She’s really taking it to heart, taking over leadership of the group
as well as understanding the offense,” he said.
Haney said the team is coming together as they gain more expe- rience as a unit on the court.
“The chemistry this year is so strong. Every- one’s just really energet- ic,” she said.
Tatami said Betan- court is quick and con- sistent, just the skills the team needs from the back row.
“Be quick and consis- tent and always there. That’s one of the hall- marks of what we have for the girls that have played in the back row,” he said.
Betancourt said she’s spent plenty of time in the gym and playing club ball during the sum- mer to improve playing the libero position.
“I’ve been moving around a lot, I’m just try- ing to do a lot of condi- tioning,” she said.
Other seniors on this year’s roster are Lauryn King and Lisa Marie Barrera. The other re- turning players are ju- nior setter Rylee Kubo and junior defensive specialist Sophia Lampa.
This year’s varsity team has promising youth in freshman Lil- lian Martinez and sopho- mores Ava Aguilar and Mary Jane Lucero. Also expecting to contrib- ute are juniors Irianna Ledesma, Lexie Cana- les, Bronagh McGahan, Vanessa Rodriguez and
See REEDLEYpageB2
MVT file photo
Three-year starter Josh Magaña returns to lead the Emperors under first-year head coach Carlos Barajas. Dinuba looks to continue their winning ways after going 9-3 last season.
New Dinuba coach looks to continue winning ways
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
First year head coach Carlos Barajas is upbeat heading into Di- nuba High’s season opener.
The Emperors are coming off a 9-3 overall record and a share of the Central Sequoia League crown.
“We’re going to be alright,” said Barajas.
Barajas, who was the defensive coordinator, said despite the Em- perors losing some key players on a defense that pitched two shutouts, there are enough pieces returning to fill the void.
“We’ll still be good defensively,” he said. “We have to keep each oth- er accountable.”
Anchoring the defense will be senior defensive lineman Johnny Garcia. Garcia will be joined by sophomore Javier Martinez. Senior linebackers Justin Gonzalez and
Ethan Espinoza add speed to that position, according to Barajas.
“Ethan had a solid summer. He’s a tough hard-nosed kid,” Barajas said. “He’ll be able to cover and come off the edge.”
Senior Brian Campbell returns at the corner position for the Em- perors.
“He’s very versatile,” Bara- jas said. Campbell and returning safety Ronnie Rubalcaba will also get touches on offense and special teams. Seniors Jacob Avila, Dario Sanchez and James Southern round out the secondary, according to Barajas.
Dinuba’s offensive line is still a work in progress.
“We’re a little thin,” Barajas said. “Our kids need to be quick and strong.”
Playing behind the o-line is one of the best quarterbacks in the section, senior Josh Magaña. The
three-year starter is coming off a season where he completed 169 of 274 attempts for 2,472 yards and 31 touchdowns with seven intercep- tions.
“Josh will have to get rid of the ball a little quicker,” Barajas said.
Magaña’s targets include Rubal- caba, Campbell, Cameron Amador, Gabriel Moreno and Josiah Reyes.
“Cameron is a tight end/wide re- ceiver who is a nice target,” Bara- jas said. “He’s got strong hands and will also play at defensive end.”
Barajas said Moreno will be in the slot position to take advantage of his quickness and Reyes contin- ues to impress as he’s picked up the offense.
Senior running back Devon Mendoza returns from a solid 2018 season where he finished the year with 652 yards on 70 carries with
See EMPS on page B2
Sanger Boxing Club seeks to fight to the top
Mike Nemeth / Mid Valley Times
Alyssa Samorano approaches Alexis Meraz recently in the ring at the Sanger Boxing Club recently during a sparring. Both young boxers train most afternoons to improve their skills so they can do better during competition.
By Mike Nemeth
Mid Valley Times
About a dozen kids waited patiently outside the Sanger Youth Cen- ter as Albert Samorano parked out front in his crew cab pickup.
It was about 5:30 p.m. and the Sanger Boxing Club was about to start its nightly workouts.
Following Samorano was his crew. They piled out one after another. In addition to Alyssa Samo- rano, his daughter who recently won a fight in Fresno, were Alex Soto, 12, Pedro Locero, 12, Steven Soto, 14, and Izak Samorano, 14, Alyssa’s older brother.
The crowd of par- ticipants who began that night’s workout started somewhat small, maybe just short of a couple dozen, down from spring when up to 50 aspiring
young boxers would go through their workouts every night.
“We’re struggling a little,” Albert Samorano said. “But we’re going here and there. We have a few fights.”
Of the young up-and- comers, Alyssa has gener- ated the most press. She traveled with her father to Independence, Mo. ear- lier this year for the Sil- ver Gloves National com- petition and was named the top competitor in her 90-pound weight class. The achievement marked another for athletes to come out of the Sanger Boxing Club, and Albert Samorano predicted it will be followed by many more.
He and Mario Gar- cia have taken over the chief coaching duties for the club. Coach Ernesto
See BOXING on page B10