Elementary and middle school students throughout Madera County will battle it out during the fifth annual Madera County Battle of the Books.  Students from 22 schools in Madera County will meet at the Madera Fairgrounds on Wednesday to answer questions based on a list of 20 books that each team is responsible to read. There will be separate 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, and 7th-8th grade competitions. “We’re excited to expand Battle of the Books by welcoming middle school students into t

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune Madera freshman Janyah Spotwood drives to the lane in a victory over the Reedley Pirates in last week’s Madera South Shootout showdown. Spotwood led the Coyotes with 11 points to go with nine rebounds and four steals. The Madera Coyotes girls basketball team jumped out to a 15-3 first quarter lead over the Reedley Pirates, and rode that to a 35-28 victory in the Madera South Showdown Shootout.  The Coyotes shot 30 percent from the field that in

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune The Matilda Torres Toros boys cross country team celebrate on he podium with the third place plaque at the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park on Saturday. FRESNO — With two runners in the top 20, and three in the top 40, the Matilda Torres Toros boys cross country team earned a second straight Div. II third place finish at the CIF State Cross County Championships at Woodward Park. “To get on the podium is huge,” head coac

Jorge Orozco/The Madera Tribune Torres’ Kaylin Perez drives in for two of her team-high 16 points in last week’s victory over the Sanger Apaches at Matilda Torres.  In preparation for Thanksgiving, the Matilda Torres Toros girls basketball team did some prep work with wins over Atascadero and Sanger before enjoying its turkey. The Monday of Thanksgiving week, the Toros forced 30 turnovers and outscored the Greyhounds, 29-13, in the second half for a 54-33 victory.  Last Wedne

The Madera Coyotes girls basketball opened a 12-point lead in the third quarter only to see it fade away in a 31-30 loss to the Sunnyside Wildcats at the Madera South Shootout Showdown tournament.  The Coyotes made just one field goal in the fourth quarter, and were outscored 15-6. Twice, the Coyotes had a chance to take the lead, but only got one wild shot off in Saturday’s tournament game at Madera South.  Rylie Fernandez led the Coyotes in scoring with 10 points on three 3

For The Madera Tribune Kelsee Montagna. Kelsee Montagna has been a champion every step she takes.  She led the Madera Coyotes to their most recent girls volleyball Central Section championship.  Then, she led Cabrillo College to two state champions. After, Cabrillo she was an All-Conference player, and captain, and the University of Great Falls.

The Reedley Pirates held the Madera South Stallions over the final 2:24 of the game without a score to record a comeback 32-29 victory at the Madera South Shootout Showdown.  In a game eerily similar to their rivals, Madera, who played in the game before, the Stallions also had their problems finding the bottom of the basket in Saturday’s loss. They shot just 11 percent (3-of-28) in the first half, and were just a little better (22 percent) in the second half.  Overall, Mader

Courtesy of MUSD Communications Madera Unified retirees honored at this year’s Service with Pride event gather for a group photo at Torres High School Theatre. Madera Unified School District celebrated the dedication and longevity of its employees at this year’s Service with Pride event, held at the Torres High School Theatre.  The annual gathering honored staff members marking 20 to 40 years of service, as well as retirees who have devoted their careers to supporting the stu