2017 All-Madera Tribune Boys Basketball
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera South’s Hassan Bolden led his team to the Central Section Valley Championship game with Hansen’s Coyotes winning the championship. Bolden was named his team’s Player of the Game in their loss to Immanuel-Reedley. He is The Madera Tribune’s boys basketball Most Valuable Player.
Most Valuable Player
Hassan Bolden, Sr. Forward Madera South
All-League: First team, CMAC
Bolden is one of those players who can do everything on the basketball court. He could drive to the hole for a shot, pull-up for a mid-range jumper or hit a 3-pointer. He took up head coach Jody Sharp’s challenge to become a leader on the team and helped lead the Stallions to their first-ever Valley Championship game appearance. Bolden also came up big on defense with key steals and used his length to become a premier defender. He is a two-time All-Madera Tribune selection. The team
Junior Segura, Jr. Guard Madera South
All-League: Second team, CMAC
Don’t overlook Segura’s stature. He will blow by you with a drive to the hole or step back and hit a high-arcing 3-pointer over your outstretched arms. He plays with quickness and speed to get by bigger and taller opponents. Segura was the Stallions’ best 3-point shooter last season. He is also a two-time All-Tribune selection. Jonah Johnson, Sr. Center Madera South
All-League: Second team, CMAC
Johnson was the player who picked up his teammates’ garbage. He was the player banging down low to pick up rebounds and put them back. He had a career game with 18 points and eight rebounds against Madera. He earned the Madera Tribune’s Most Valuable Player selection as a quarterback for the Stallions football team and used his quarterbacking abilities to help lead the Stallions offense. Hakeem Primes, Jr. Guard Madera South
Primes performed best like his name. He was the one that hit the clutch jumper or made the clutch play in “Prime time.” He could hit the 3-pointer when left open or when guarded closely, but he could also take a defender off the dribble and hit a mid-range jumper. He will be back next year with Segura and lead a lethal Stallions backcourt with David Thomas. Michael Green, Sr. Guard Madera
All-League: Honorable mention, CMAC
Green was the player that led the Coyotes. He was probably the best player in the conference at the dribble-drive. While most players look to score off the drive, Green was more likely to dish to the open player. His quickness gave him the first step over many defenders. He is a two-time All-Madera Tribune selection. Mark Cardoza, Sr. Center Madera
All-League: Honorable mention, CMAC
Cardoza got some great tutelage last year playing under three-time All-Tribune Most Valuable Player Ethan Richardson. He showed those lessons during the season, getting most of his points in the paint from the post position. He led the Coyotes in scoring and rebounds. Markie Brandt, Sr. Forward Liberty
All-League: First team, NSL
Like Johnson, Brandt was also an All-Tribune football selection at quarterback, and also at safety. He ran the Hawks like he ran the football team. He scored when he needed to with a drive, a mid-range jumper or the 3-pointer. He got better and better as the season went on after coming from the football team. Roy Afonin, Jr. Guard Liberty
All-League: Second Team, NSL
Just looking at Afonin, you see a basketball player. He lives, eats and breathes basketball and it shows on the court. He was the player the Hawks look to for the clutch bucket. Afonin could easily shoot 3-pointers all day, but enjoyed driving to the hole, get knocked to the court, settled down and hitting a free throw for the 3-point play.
