1 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
best s ’ a e are etes h l t h g t l a rin h o n og h s c h o o hi
s e d h #hig
— HOSTED BY —
ep r p t er
s
— PRESENTED BY —
2 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 3
a night to remember Sports stars help honor area’s top ATHLETES
W
hat a year it’s been since our last Best of Preps event. So much has happened. So much has changed. A little over a year ago, the Daily Press welcomed about 400 guests to the Best of Preps awards banquet hosted by former NFL Never in a million years would I ever imagine we would not be able to host our fourth annual awards ceremony because of a pandemic. But once February came around and rumblings of just how bad the coronavirus was in China and then early March when we figured out life was about to drastically change. I can’t imagine the feeling of being a senior athlete just starting my final season only to find out it would be cut short. Heartbreaking to think about the countless hours spent playing the sport you love and looking forward to ending high school with a bang. And then it’s suddenly over. That’s tough. So when I found out this event was canceled, I felt a bit dejected knowing that Misty May-Treanor was our scheduled guest speaker for our annual Best of Preps awards ceremony. After three years of Hall of Fame football stars speaking to our area’s top athletes, I thought it would be an inspiring event for all the girls in attendance. It’s one thing to hear stories from former gridiron stars like Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott and Tim Brown, but to hear about May-Treanor’s quest to becoming a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and the most dominant athlete her sport has ever seen, would have been something special. I would have loved to hear about being married to former Major League Baseball catcher Matt Treanor, and just how
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT, BILL BELICHICK, GARY WOODLAND, VENUS WILLIAMS, PATRICK MAHOMES, STEPH CURRY, MICHAEL PHELPS, WAYNE GRETZKY AND GABBY DOUGLAS WERE AMONG THE MANY PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES TO PRESENT THE 2020 SPORTS AWARDS TO ATHLETES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN A NATIONAL BROADCAST ON JUNE 18.
competitive the two athletes are with each other. Then I was told we were switching our focus to a virtual awards show and I was intrigued. Skeptical, but intrigued. But then the plan started coming to fruition and I got a list of all the professional athletes who were on board as presenters for our Athlete of the Year awards. I knew it would be something special for our community. Venus Williams announced Serrano’s Kelsie Howard for our girls tennis award. Patrick Mahomes announced our female and male Athlete of the Year awards.
If we had prep hockey in the area, Wayne Gretzky would have announced the award, as he did for the other Gannett papers. Our show was streamed without a hitch, and I hope you enjoyed it and effort we put in to keep things pushing. I also hope all you new grads and incoming seniors use the lessons learned from this pandemic to not take anything for granted. I look forward to seeing what happens this school year, and especially a year from now when it’s time to honor our top prep athletes. JOSE QUINTERO, Reporter
4 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
WHAT’S IN THIS SECTION
THE DAILY PRESS
CONTRIBUTING Staff MATTHEW CABE Editor
Steve Nakutin
5 Male Athlete of the Year
10 Coach of the year
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Lisa Woodhart Events & Promotions
6 Female Athlete of the Year
10 Athletes of the Week
Jose Quintero Sports Writer
SARA JACKSON DESIGNER
8 Lifetime Achievement Award
12-18 Athletes of the Year
9 Courage AWARD
19 All-Area Teams
The contents of this publication are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Contact us at: The Daily Press 13891 Park Ave, Victorville, CA, 92392 760-241-7744 vvdailypress.com
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 5
Parker Chaffee MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Serrano: Football/Wrestling/Baseball
Why he Won Aside from being Serrano’s starting quarterback, Parker won the Mojave River League’s 170-pound wrestling title. Parker won four matches at the CIF-Southern Section Masters Tournament, where he took eighth-place. At the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield, he won one match in the 170-pound tournament. On the gridiron, Parker earned the Mojave River League’s Offensive Player of the Year award after a dual-threat senior season. In his lone season as starting quarterback, Parker completed 76 of 137 passes for 1,623 yards and 24 touchdowns while running the ball 75 times for 447 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both rushing marks were second-best on the team. Parker also had a helping hand on defense for Serrano. Playing linebacker, Parker had 21 solo tackles, an interception and caused a fumble. The Diamondbacks ended the regular season 10-0, and won the program’s first outright league title since the 2015 season. Serrano’s season ended in the semifinals of the playoffs. In his final football game of the year, Parker scored the game-winning touchdown in the MRL’s 18-17 victory in the 13th Annual High Desert Senior All-Star Game. Parker had his final baseball season cut short as the coronavirus pandemic halted all spring sports earlier this year.
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
6 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
THE DAILY PRESS
Melody Landphear FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR OAK HILLS: SOCCER/Track & Field
Why She Won Melody won two championships in her years playing at Oak Hills. After helping lead the Bulldogs to the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 title as a junior, the team fell short in recapturing the feat in her senior season. The Bulldogs lost in the CIF-SS title game, but the season wasn’t quite over. The Bulldogs celebrated a week later by winning the CIF Southern Regional Div. II title. With a 1-0 lead in the second half over La Mirada in the title game, Melody fired a shot that passed right by the goalkeeper into the back of the net to ice the game. It was Melody’s second goal of the three-game regional
tournament. She also scored a goal with two assists in the tournament opener. Over the course of the season, Melody scored 25 goals and assisted on 16 for the Bulldogs. She was named to the All-Mojave River League First Team and later named to the All-CIF-SS Div. 2 First Team. In April, she signed a letter of intent to continue playing soccer at California State University, Los Angeles. But Melody isn’t just a soccer star. She was also a pole vaulter for the Track & Field team, which saw the season canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 7
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
8 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
THE DAILY PRESS
Terry Kurtz Lifetime achievement award
T
erry is entering his sixth decade of covering local prep sports. Ask around the High Desert about Terry Kurtz and you will hear countless tales of a local sports icon who grew up in Nebraska and attended Dakota Wesleyan University on a football and basketball scholarship. Kurtz came to Apple Valley after graduating in 1967 and began a 40-year career teaching history and cinematography at Apple Valley High School. During that time, he coached football and baseball before venturing into media-related fields. In the 1970s, he announced prep football and basketball games on KAVR Radio. He was sports anchor for KVVT-TV from 1986 to 1991 and later at Charter’s CNN Headline News from 1991 to 2006. That same year, Terry produced the Daily Press’ video reports and later launched “Videosportz” and “High Desert Sports Report.” You can still find new content on his Facebook page mere hours after he finishes covering games across the region. In
a 2013 interview with the Daily Press, Terry said “Knowing video projects I produce, especially for high school and college athletes, will be enjoyed (eventually treasured) by them years from now” was the best thing about his job. Last month, he said his fondest memory of covering local prep sports is covering Silverado grad Jimmy Musgrave, who played football at VVC, then spent two seasons as a walk-on football player at the University of Oregon before receiving a full-ride scholarship from the University of Texas at El Paso. His two favorite interviews are when Victor Valley grad Reggie Lawson signed with the San Diego Padres, and Oak Hills’ Jason Rodriguez, who currently plays for USC, after winning the MRL title in 2018. The next time you see Terry Kurtz around, be sure to stop him and strike up a conversation. You won’t regret it.
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
Jesus Ortega Courage Award Oak Hills: Wrestling
J
esus was 2 years old when he lost sight in one eye. Retinoblastoma, a form of cancer most common in children that begins in the back of the eye, was the diagnosis. He spent the next eight years of his life with limited vision. The cancer came back when he was 10, and Jesus lost his sight altogether. He had his eye poked when he was eight. He had several surgeries for the next two years. Afterward, his eye would be patched for about a week, so Jesus says he almost felt used to being fully blind. Tough cards to be dealt at the age of 10. But Jesus is much tougher. As he transitioned from sixth to seventh grade, Jesus learned wrestling was an option for him. He had played baseball for a couple seasons when he was younger, so he decided to give wrestling a shot. His first season didn’t go so well, but Jesus slowly started developing as a wrestler. He earned a varsity spot at Oak Hills as a freshman, but during coaching transitions, he spent the next two seasons on the junior varsity team. Jesus says there was a lot of self doubt those years. His dream was to qualify for the CIF-Southern Section wrestling tournament. Jesus started in all five Mojave River League duals for Oak Hills his senior year, and went 3-2 competing as a 145-pounder. He then placed in the top three at the MRL Finals, qualifying for the CIFSS tournament. After losing his opening match, Jesus won a decision before being eliminated in the next match. No matter. The dream was accomplished. Jesus’ senior season was special and Oak Hills head coach Robert Marchese was proud to be a part of it. “It was amazing to see him do what he did this season,” Marchese said. “Jesus is a kid that never complained, always did what was asked of him. He was the vocal leader of the team and a huge part of the team this year.”
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 9
10 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
BOBBY TOSSETTI COACH OF THE YEAR Hesperia: Boys Basketball
Why he Won In his second season as head coach, Bobby Tossetti led the Scorpions to the CIF-Southern Section Division 2A title game, where they fell four points shy of victory. Hesperia’s playoff run, led by
Tony Singleton and RaShawn Burrell, was magical. The two were named to the All-CIFSS Div. 2A team, while Tossetti was named Coach of the Year. Hesperia ended the season 25-9 overall, scored 2,117 points and allowed 1,795. In those 34 games,
Hesperia allowed more than 70 points just twice. In seven playoff games, the team played sound defense, allowing 54.5 points per game. Hesperia won its fifth-straight Mojave River League title, running the table with a 10-0 record. In December, the
Scorpions competed in one of the state’s most notable prep basketball tournaments and took fifth place in their division. Hesperia ended the tournament by rallying from a late 12-point deficit to beat Los Osos 61-60 with a buzzer-beater 3.
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 11
12 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
BOYS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Antonio Singleton, Hesperia
Tony nearly lived his dream of becoming a CIF-Southern Section champion after leading the Scorpions to the Division 2A title game against Ribet Academy. Hesperia lost by three points to a team that won a state championship in the prior season. Tony had a huge senior year, earned a spot on the All-CIF-SS Div. 2A team and was named the Mojave River League’s Player of the Year. In his final season at Hesperia, Singleton averaged 22.5 points, six rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals per game, and shot 39% from beyond the arc.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
GIRLS BASKETBALL
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Sage Bridges,
Oak Hills
Sage was named the Mojave River League’s Player of the Year in girls basketball for the second straight season. Sage led the Bulldogs to an eighth-straight league title after a 9-1 finish, and to the second round of the CIFSouthern Section playoffs. Over the course of the season, Sage scored 429 points, giving her 1,126 in her career at Oak Hills. She averaged 17.1 points per game, nailed 31 three-pointers and shot 84% from the free throw line. Sage also won the Daily Press Female Basketball Athlete of the Year as a junior.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 13
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Ian Crocker, Serrano
Ian led the Diamondbacks to a third-straight Mojave River League title, and seventh in the last nine seasons, with a second-place finish (15:52) at Victor Valley College. Ian’s success continued at the CIF-Southern Section Prelims at the Riverside City College course where he led Serrano to a fourth-place finish in the Division 2 race with a time of 15 minutes, 15.2 seconds. Ian’s shedding nearly 15 seconds off that time at the CIF-SS Finals (15:1.6) but just missed qualifying for the State finals.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Tiani Goeson,
Serrano
Making a third straight trip to the CIF State Finals, and eighth of the decade, the Diamondbacks scored 185 points for a thirdplace finish in the Division 2 race. Tiani led the way for Serrano on the 5k course with a 13th-place finish (17:59.5). En route to the finals, Tiani had a fourth-place finish at the CIF-Southern Section Finals at Riverside City Cross Country Course with a time of 17 minutes, 8.9 seconds. A week prior to that, Tiani led Serrano at the CIF-SS Prelims, at the same course, with a second-place finish with a time of 17 minutes, 13.7 seconds.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
14 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 15
FOOTBALL
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Devin Gandy,
Silverado
The Silverado program has churned out some of the best wide receivers in the High Desert over the last decade. Devin, who will be attending California State University, Sacramento this fall, is no exception. Devin led Silverado with 943 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns and earned the Desert Sky League’s Offensive Player of the Year. But Devin is not just a play-maker when catching the ball. Devin rarely stepped off the field as he was Silverado’s most reliable player in the secondary. Gandy finished the season with six interceptions, the most on Silverado and in the DSL. He was also the team’s punter, and even threw a couple trick passes. He capped his career at Silverado with a strong showing in the 13th Annual High Desert Senior All-Star Game, where he caught a touchdown pass. [FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
BOYS SOCCER
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Adrian Gallardo,
Hesperia
For the first time, a goalkeeper has been named the Daily Press’ Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year. It’s a tough decision to make, when various local players scored more than 20 goals for their respective teams. In his final season, Adrian, a four-year starter, and the Scorpions recorded 14 shutouts, and allowed 16 goals in 25 games. The Scorpions never lost a game in regulation. Hesperia losses this year came via penalty kicks. Adrian will continue his soccer career after recently signing a letter of intent to attend Humboldt State University in the fall.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
16 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
GIRLS SOCCER
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kolo Suliafu, Oak Hills
Kolo is the third consecutive Bulldog to win this award. As a sophomore, Kolo scored 25 goals for the Bulldogs in a shortened season. Kolo missed time midway through the season, and then three games during the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs to attend U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team’s training camps. At the camps in Florida, Kolo was vying for a spot on the U-17 team that would have competed in May for a berth to the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in November. Kolo returned to the team in time for the Div. 2 title game, but the team lost 5-1. Kolo and the Bulldogs rallied a week later to capture the CIF Southern Regional Div. II title.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
GIRLS TENNIS
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kelsie Howard,
Serrano
Kelsie had a dominant senior season on the court going as Serrano’s No. 1 singles player. Kelsie went 27-3 in her final season for the Diamondbacks. She nearly ended the season unbeaten as her only losses were in the season finale against Burroughs, a loss that snapped Serrano’s 121-game winning streak in Mojave River League action. Following in the steps of previous Serrano singles players, she teamed with No. 2 singles player Miri Kim for the MRL Finals, but lost to teammates Kristen O’Neill and Isabella Acosta. Kelsie is the fourth-consecutive Serrano player to win this award.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
THE DAILY PRESS
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 17
VOLLEYBALL
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Savana Byrd, Sultana
Savana capped a dominant season with being named to the All CIF-Southern Section Division 5 team. As a junior, Byrd led the Sultans to a 27-8 season, including an 8-2 record in Mojave River League play, capturing the league title. On the season, Byrd had 371 kills, leading an offense that averaged 9.2 kills per set. Byrd averaged 4.1 kills per set to go along with a 40.6 kill percentage. She also served 29 aces, recorded 98 blocks, including 79 solo, 136 digs and 17 assists.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
18 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
BOYS WRESTLING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Gabriel Carranza,
Victor Valley Gabriel wrapped up a stellar career for the Jackrabbits with a fourth-place finish at the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield. Gabriel lost a close 6-4 decision in the third-place match in the 220-pound division. Gabriel, who placed second at the CIF-Southern Section Masters, started his run in Bakersfield by spending less than two minutes on the mat, with two pinfall victories, in the opening night of the tournament. He scored a decision victory in the quarterfinals, and lost in the semifinals, dropping to the consolation bracket, where he won a 6-4 decision.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
GIRLS WRESTLING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Athena Willden,
Oak Hills
After placing sixth in the 131-pound division at the CIF State Girls Wrestling Championships last year, Athena had a memorable run in Bakersfield in her junior season. Athena racked up six total victories to take third-place. Athena opened the tournament with two pinfall victories but lost in the quarterfinals the following day, dropping her to the consolation bracket. But motivated to better the previous year’s performance, Athena won all four matches in the third day of action to place on the podium. She capped the day with a 6-2 victory over Las Plumas’ Shawntel Copple.
[FILE PHOTOGRAPH/DAILY PRESS]
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS
Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 19
2019-2020 ALL-AREA TEAMS BASKETBALL BOYS
Serrano
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ian Crocker Anthony Hernandez Richard Vasquez
Adelanto
Riverside Preparatory
BOBBY TOSSETTI, HESPERIA Kyler Harvey Caijon Wolfe
Hesperia
Thomas Long
Ra’Shawn Burrell Blake Goodro Jonathan McCullough Antonio Singleton
CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS
Silverado
BARSTOW
Kyree Manning
COACH OF THE YEAR
KEN QUINN, SERRANO Angelina Vasquez
Granite Hills
BASKETBALL GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR
KELLY HENNESSEY, OAK HILLS
Academy of careers & exploration Aerin Wiggins
Hesperia
Tyreshia Sessions
Oak Hills
Symone Koppel Jalina Lindstrom
Serrano
Maribel Aguilar Marisol Aguilar Siera Collier Tiani Goeson Samantha Ulloa
FOOTBALL
Sage Bridges Eliza Gonzalez
COACH OF THE YEAR
Victor Valley
Adelanto
CROSS COUNTRY BOYS STEPHANIE GRIEGO, BARSTOW
APPLE VALLEY
COACH OF THE YEAR
Apple Valley Eric Perez
BARSTOW
Rodrigo Arias Jalen Griego Jeffrey Holliday
Daniel Gonzalez Sean Ili
Granite Hills Ka’son Smith
Hesperia
Somari Jones-Griffin
Marquis Cato Deryck Cox Jayden Denegal Kenyard Edwards Jr. Sam Jang Jeremy Justice II Tyron Smith Ryan Webster
Oak Hills
Silverado
Serrano
Sultana
Sultana
Silverado
Brianna Diaz Marlyn Lopez
Ethan Burkel Jacob Hanshaw Gio Morales Bryant Sheffield Jhared Willcot
OAK HILLS
Sultana
Serrano
SOCCER - GIRLS
Chris Torres Nofoafia Tulafono Parker Chaffee Garrett Digiorgio Earl Hodson Matt Lowe Nathan Sandoval John Smolenski Wahkill Sullivan Michael Thacker
Silverado Kasen Brooks Jayson Crawley Devin Gandy Jawan Howard
Sultana Cody Hill
CASEY MAHOLCHIC, SERRANO Joequan Banks Marshawn Buchanan Darius Gibson Joshua Lorick Rashaun Ramsey Hosia Stokes
Garyontan’e Bradley Garyonna Bradley
BARSTOW
SOCCER - BOYS
Joseph Hernandez
Apple Valley
Granite Hills Samantha Grantham
Oak Hills
Hannah Bennett Megan Burns Tia Campbell Melody Landphear Kolo Suliafu Tupuo Suliafu
Serrano
Sultana
Adrian Gallardo Gilbert Higuera Ricardo Jauregui Danny Palacios Luis Roque
Victor Valley
COACH OF THE YEAR
Apple Valley
Granite Hills
Hesperia
VOLLEYBALL
Kasandra Miranda
JOE KULM, OAK HILLS
ADAM CAUDLE, OAK HILLS Carlos Blanco Wyatt Bodle Jett Casarez Isaiah Rodriguez
Victor Valley
JACKSON WONG, SULTANA
Marlina Guzman Madison Riley Jackie Sharpe
Aubrey Martinez Krysta Petersen
Barstow Reiven Ili
Oak Hills
Ashley Gonzalez Makayla Hill
Serrano
Delayne Young
Sultana
Savana Byrd Myriahlea Deharo Courtney Gillham
WRESTLING BOYS
Laisha Hernandez
COACH OF THE YEAR
TENNIS - GIRLS
Excelsior Charter
COACH OF THE YEAR
PAUL ARAOARAO, VICTOR VALLEY
Serrano Isabella Acosta Kelsie Howard Miri Kim Kristin O’Neill
Parker Chaffee Adrian Preciado Ethan Aguiniga Brandon Bollinger Jose Cisneros Omar De La Torre David Franco Ryan Spangler
COACH OF THE YEAR
Carly Burns Miranda Fragoso Janice Vasquez
COACH OF THE YEAR
Leila Chavez Destiny Navarrete
ROCKY HUMPHREY, SULTANA Jesse Vasquez
Hesperia Juan Chiquito
Oak Hills
Guillermo Duenas Albert Torres
Gabriel Carranza Dario Hernandez Sebastian Lechuga
WRESTLING GIRLS Adelanto
Merlyn Sandoval
Barstow Adelina Nava
Excelsior Charter
Joey Tully
Granite Hills Anabelle Bezada Jasmine Bezada
Oak Hills
Katrina Cortez Gisela Moralez Aubrey Rowley Breana Whitman Athena Willden
Serrano Sarah Amaya
Silverado Corrina Gomez
Sultana
Sophia Espinoza Briana Garcia
20 • Sunday, June 28, 2020
2020 BEST OF HIGH DESERT PREPS
THE DAILY PRESS