After finally having the opportunity to complete in a full slate of games for the first time in two years, 11 local girls basketball players were selected to their respective All-League teams.
At the top of that list is Pierce’s Jocelyn Medina, who in addition to receiving the Sacramento Valley MVP award, was named first team All-Northern Section and most recently was chosen by MaxPreps as part of its California All-State Division V first team.
It was well-deserved recognition for the junior, who broke an 18-year-old Northern Section record for points in a season with 1,118, as she averaged 38.6 points per game, which was third in the nation.
Still, while there is no doubt about her ability to score, Medina also contributed in other ways, averaging 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game, tallying 20 double-doubles and leading Pierce (22-8, 11-0) to the SVL championship and into the second round of the NSCIF Division IV playoffs.
While Medina’s performance was indeed exemplary, there were other athletes who influenced their teams in significant ways and were rewarded for their efforts as well.
Sacramento Valley League
Pierce: In addition to Medina, a trio of seniors in Mayra Sanchez, Monika Herrera, and Jaylianna Valencia received All-League recognition for their roles in the Bears’ success. In the post, Sanchez averaged 6.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game and Valencia contributed just over four points and four boards, while Herrera played hard atop the Bear defense and pitched in with 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest.
Colusa: As the second place team in the SVL, the RedHawks (17-10, 8-3) saw two of their own named to the All-League squad, including senior Reese Roper and freshman Danica Chavez. Roper used her athleticism in the paint and averaged nearly a double-double in her final season, boasting a stat line that included 9.4 and 9.3 rebounds per game, while Chavez burst on the scene to lead Colusa in scoring with a 13.3 average and played with a maturity beyond her years.
Five Star League
Maxwell: Despite finishing fourth in league play, the Panthers (7-17, 3-6) showed a great deal of promise this season, led by a pair of underclassmen in freshman Fatima Cano and sophomore Emma Hendrix. Solid on both ends of the court, Cano averaged 8.3 points per game and led the Northern Section in rebounding with a 13.3 average, while Hendrix was good for eight points and eight boards a game.
Mid-Valley League
Williams: An undersized Yellowjacket team struggled against its MVL opponents, but got a game effort from senior guard Xochitl Hernandez, who with a 6.6 points per game average, garnered All-League recognition.
Pioneer Valley League
Princeton: With just two teams competing in the PVL this season, the Eagles finished in a tie with Elk Creek after splitting the season series. Although no statistics were available, senior Rohelia Gomez and junior Sophia Deniz were Princeton’s All-League selections. ■
