All-Tribune Boys Basketball
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Liberty’s Carson Stephens averaged more than 22 points per game for the Hawks. He is The Madera Tribune’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight season, the first two-time MVP since Ethan Richardson in 2016.
Most Valuable Player
Carson Stephens
Guard Sr. Liberty
An easy selection. Stephens became the third player in Liberty Hawks history to score more than 1,000 points in his career. He was a cornerstone for the Hawks the past three season and filled in the big footsteps of his older brother, Logan, who was a two-time All-Madera Tribune selection. This is Stephens’ second All-Madera Tribune selection and he is a two-time All-Tribune Most Valuable Player. He averaged more than 22 points per game and also pulled down almost eight rebounds per game. He was the unquestioned leader of the Hawks and earned a first team All-North Sequioa League selection.
The Team
Max Vestal
Guard Sr. Liberty
While Stephens was the unquestioned leader of the Hawks, Vestal was the quiet, glue-type leader that all teams need. He did his work and was very good at it. He excelled on the defensive end and averaged almost a steal per game while scoring almost 10 points per game. He earned a first-team selection to the NSL All-Defensive team.
Dante Ciritella
Forward Sr. Liberty
Although Stephens led the team in scoring, you can’t really have a good No. 1 if you don’t have a good No. 2. Ciritella was that good No. 2. He averaged more than 15 points per game and more than five rebounds per game. He could score with the drive or with the jumper. He shot 32 percent from 3-point range. Ciritella is also known for that scowl he always has, even when he is having fun. He was a second team All-NSL selection.
Elias Torres
Forward Fr. Madera
Torres quickly made a name for himself for head coach David Lozano and the Coyotes. Although vocally quiet, Torres let his play do his talking. As a freshman, he led the Coyotes in scoring and laid a foundation for bigger and better basketball in years to come. He was an All-County/Metro Athletic Conference Honorable Mention.
Joe Galvan
Forward Sr. Madera South
A two-time All-Madera Tribune selection, Galvan was the leader of the Stallions. He was counted on for the scoring, whether it came from the blocks, from a drive or if they left him open, from 3-point range. Galvan was a second team All-CMAC selection.
Rondell Jordan
Forward Sr. Madera South
Talk about a player that can jump out of the building, Jordan is one of those players. He did his damage down low, whether it was the offensive putbacks or providing on-the-block defense. He used his athleticism to bother opponents and wear them down. He was an All-CMAC Honorable Mention.
Lucas Samaniego
Guard Sr. Madera South
Samaniego started the year on the bench, but his play kept earning him playing time. He worked his way up to a sixth-man and then a starting spot. He was deft at the drive and the creative shot making. However, leave him open and he can hit the 3-pointer.
Daniel Valdez
Guard Jr. Madera South
Valdez gives new head coach Corey Edmiston something to build upon. Valdez was the starting point guard from Day 1 for the Stallions and never gave it up. He ran the offense and provided scoring. If an opponent gave Valdez a lane, Valdez was quick enough to exploit that with a drive to the rim. Like Samaniego, Valdez had a knack for a creative lay-up that found its way through the net.
Jose Soriano and Arturo Corona
Guards Sophomore Matilda Torres
With Soriano and Corona, Torres head coach Charles Rigby has two cornerstone pieces to build around. The two players showed tremendous growth throughout the year by playing against experienced varsity teams. The first time the Toros played Madera, they lost by 46 points. However, the second time the two teams battled, the Toros lost by 11. Corona and Soriano combined for 28 points.
