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Coaches reward CHS, CV boys basketball talent
Lebron Stallworth
Three members of Ceres High’s boys basketball team earned Western Athletic Conference honors this winter, including Lebron Stallworth. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High School boys basketball standouts Lebron Stallworth, Adrian Ontiveros and Ricky Stanley were recognized during the Western Athletic Conference year-end head coaches’ meeting on Feb. 20 at Grace Davis High School.

Coaches from the Central California Conference rewarded Central Valley High School’s Gage Mastropierro and Jake Olson on Feb. 27 at Patterson High School.

“This group played hard all year,” said Bulldogs’ leader T.J. Walker Jr. “They competed every day. That’s what we want.”

Stallworth managed to earn first-team, all-WAC honors despite being slowed early in the season by shoulder and wrist injuries sustained during football.

The senior power forward/center averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for the fifth-place Bulldogs (7-7).

He also logged playing time at point guard.

“Lebron got healthier and more consistent as the year went on,” Walker said. “It just sucks he wasn’t healthy all year. He still played his tail off. He’s a beast down low. He can shoot the ball well. He’s one of those players that can score from all three levels. The scouting report for Ceres was how to not let Lebron get easy buckets.”

Stallworth earned a spot on Ceres High’s varsity boys basketball team sophomore year.

He improved tremendously during his prep career.

Stallworth was selected to the WAC Second Team in the 10th grade. 

He averaged 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.

“The biggest thing for Lebron was getting into the weight room these last two years. His body changed. He got stronger. He could do everything at his size.”

Ontiveros and Stanley were honorable-mention selections.

Ontiveros, a third-year varsity player, averaged 7.9 points and 4.0 assists per game.

The 5-foot-5 senior guard was one of the Bulldogs’ top defensive players.

“Adrian ran our offense. Defensively, he was everywhere on the floor. He worked hard every day. He had to at his size. He proved he could compete against anybody.”

Ontiveros was named to the WAC First Team as a junior.

He averaged 13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.

Stanley, a senior shooting guard, averaged 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

He was a three-year varsity contributor.

“Ricky got to the basket,” Walker noted. “He was big on offensive rebounding. He was aggressive. He played hard.”

Mastropierro was named to the CCC First Team.

The senior guard ranked first on the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-pointers made for the fifth-place Hawks.

He averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.8 steals per game.

He also drained 76 3-pointers.

“Even though we were 2-10, the coaches recognized Gage was one of the top players in the league,” Rodriguez said. “I’m really excited for him. He spent a lot of time working on his game.”

Mastropierro was a three-year varsity contributor.

He was a CCC honorable-mention selection as a junior.

Mastropierro averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per contest.

“Sophomore year, he was a role player,” Rodriguez said. “Junior year, he took the next step. This year, he turned into our leader, a go-to guy. “We were a lot tougher and competitive when he was putting points on the board for us. He had some big games for us. He filled up the stat sheet in every category.”

Olson was named Central Valley’s CCC Sportsmanship Award winner.

The senior forward averaged 1.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

“He was a reliable guy,” Rodriguez said. “He was a great teammate. He was positive all the time.”

Gage Mastropierro
Central Valley’s Gage Mastropierro (pictured here) and Jacob Olson both earned CCC honors. - photo by Dale Butler