The winter sports season was filled with many highlights. Now is the perfect time to recollect and celebrate.
Top male athlete-A four-year starter on Central Valley High School's varsity boys basketball team, guard Jaron Dickson took his game to new heights this season. Dickson became the first Hawk player in program history to be voted Western Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player. Dickson led Central Valley in scoring (21.5 ppg), rebounding (8.1 rpg) and assists (7.1 apg). Just a sophomore, John Alba enjoyed a memorable postseason run while starring on Ceres High's varsity wrestling team. The 152-pounder won titles at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV and Western Athletic Conference meets. He posted a 1-2 record at the Masters tournament.
Top female athlete-Mikayla Mabie was a role player on Central Valley's varsity girls basketball team her sophomore year. She averaged 4.7 points, 3.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Mabie earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors this season. She led the Hawks in scoring (15.3 ppg) and assists (5.8 apg), and ranked second in steals (2.8 spg) and fourth in rebounding (5.0 rpg).
Male newcomer-Luis Saucedo, formerly of Modesto High, made an immediate impact during his first season with Central Valley's varsity wrestling program. The junior compiled a 33-15 overall record. He won 21 times via pin. Saucedo had a 1-2 mark while competing in the 113-pound weight class at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships. Luis finished second behind Livingston's Rainier Colina at the Division-IV and Western Athletic Conference tournaments.
Female newcomer-Claudia Martinez was a new addition to Central Valley's varsity wrestling program. The sophomore compiled a 3-2 record en route to an eighth-place finish in the 101-pound bracket at the Girls Regional Invitational. She fell two wins shy of qualifying for State. Claudia took first against female competition at Central Valley and Atwater, second at Pacheco and Pitman, and fifth at Pittsburg. Martinez had a 25-13 overall record this year.
Coach-Central Valley's varsity wrestling program claimed its first-ever Western Athletic Conference overall title under head coach Rob Beckhart's guidance. The Hawks placed first at the WAC Championships with a team score of 233.5. Central Valley won all six of its conference dual meets for the second straight year. The Hawks advanced to team section duals for the third time in five years.
Team-Central Valley High School's varsity boys basketball program had a banner year. The Hawks accomplished several firsts by winning their first-ever conference title, qualifying for the playoffs for the second year in a row and reeling off 15 straight wins. Central Valley compiled a program-best 22-4 overall record and finished first in the Western Athletic Conference standings (12-0).
Game/Match-Central Valley's and Ceres High's varsity wrestling teams both collected thrilling wins versus tradition-rich Los Banos during the Western Athletic Conference dual-meet season. The Bulldogs spoiled the Tigers' Senior Night with a 33-31 victory. Central Valley edged Los Banos by three points (36-33).
Honorable mention-Ceres High's Abel Morales (boys wrestling), Rudy Gonzales (boys wrestling), John Alba (boys wrestling), Luis Camarillo (boys wrestling), Diego Diaz (boys wrestling), Daniel Raya (boys wrestling), Puneet Sahi (boys basketball), Nick Burt (boys basketball), Joshneil Sandhu (boys basketball), Nicole Bates (girls basketball) and Perla Vargas (girls basketball), and Central Valley's Lindsey Alexander (girls basketball), Heaven Simon (girls basketball), Daevon Brown (boys basketball), Parker Griffin (boys basketball), Nimrat Chahal (boys basketball), Joaquin Garcia (boys wrestling) and Christian Oliver (boys wrestling).
