Andre Flores has been named Central Valley High School’s Western Athletic Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” he said. “That’s what I was working towards my four years.”

Flores had a cumulative grade-point average of 4.2 at Central Valley.

He was presented Austin Stiles and Steve Beaver Memorial Scholarships during the Senior Awards Night Banquet.

“Freshman year, something in me clicked,” Flores said. “I knew I wanted to get into a good college. That’s why I always worked as hard as I could. I showed up every day. I did the best I could inside and outside of the classroom.”

Flores took a total of three advanced-placement classes, including government, calculus and precalculus.

“I wouldn’t say I missed out on anything,” he said while talking about life as a student-athlete in high school. “Sometimes, you have to prioritize things. You have to stay focused. I enjoyed it. It gave me purpose. It gave me a reason to wake up in the morning. It helped me stay out of trouble.”

Flores earned six varsity letters with the Hawks, including three in basketball, two in baseball and one in football.

“I didn’t have a favorite sport. My answer would change with the sport I was playing at the time. I like competing. That’s why I play sports.”

Flores was named to the WAC Second Team during his final season with Central Valley’s baseball program.

The senior outfielder batted .343 from the plate with one triple, two doubles, 11 RBIs, 18 runs, eight walks and 14 stolen bases.

Flores had on-base, slugging and on-base slugging percentages of .436, .403 and .839, respectively.

He ranked third on the team in batting average, triples and stolen bases, fourth in doubles and on-base percentage, fifth in hits, RBIs, runs, walks and slugging percentage, and seventh in on-base plus slugging percentage.

“Andre’s a really good athlete,” Hawks’ head coach Brad Bussard said.

“I had my ups and downs,” Flores said. “I had my best hitting season this year.”

Flores’ team also enjoyed its best season to date.

Central Valley amassed a program-best 21-9 overall record, claimed its first-ever league title (14-0) and won one of two games in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I playoffs.

The Hawks also hosted their first playoff game.

In 58 career games, Flores batted .278 with one triple, four doubles, 12 RBIs, 28 runs, nine walks and 21 stolen bases.

“I’m glad I could help contribute to my team,” he said.

Flores garnered second-team all-conference accolades while starting at guard in basketball this past winter.

He averaged 7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

“He was our best all-round player,” Hawks’ head coach Mike Rodriguez said. “He was our best defender as well. He was a guy that could do it all.”

Flores took being a role player to another level.

He excelled on both offense and defense.

He scored in double figures eight times, including a career-high 15 points in a 74-61 win over Livingston.

He grabbed seven or more rebounds in 10 games, including a career-high 14 in a 58-50 loss to Beyer.

He also led by example.

“He was a great teammate,” Rodriguez stated. “He always had a good attitude. He worked hard. He was very unselfish. He could have scored more.”

“It’s not about stats,” said Flores, who improved his scoring, rebounding, steal and block averages each season. “I just wanted to win. That was my goal.”

Central Valley amassed a 16-13 overall record, finished third in the WAC standings (10-4) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I playoffs.

“That’s what we were working for,” Flores said while talking about team success. “I loved all the guys I played with.”

Flores enjoyed a breakout year while starring at receiver in football during the fall.

He was named to the WAC Second Team.

Flores managed to garner all-league recognition despite missing three games with a left knee injury.

“When Andre was healthy, he was the guy we went to offensively,” Central Valley leader Derrick Goblirsch said. “He’s definitely a special player. He was a joy to coach all year. He worked his butt off.”

Flores caught 27 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns on the season.

He ran for 69 yards and one score on 19 carries.

Flores led last-place Hawks (1-9, 0-7) in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and all-purpose yards.

He set career-high marks in receiving yards (145) and touchdowns in Central Valley’s 48-13 loss against Beyer.

He had a career-best nine receptions in a 42-14 setback versus Pacheco.

He ran for 52 yards and one TD on five carries while making his debut during Central Valley’s 27-0 season-opening victory over Pitman.

“I exceeded my expectations,” Flores said. “It was my first year playing high-school football. I wasn’t shooting for the stars. I’m just happy I was able to help my team.”

Four-plus years removed from fracturing the tibia and fibula in his right leg while playing youth football, Flores finally got to experience competing on the gridiron at the prep level.

“Coming back was a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m glad I did. It would have been cool to play my junior and sophomore years but I don’t know if I would have been ready. After the injury, I wasn’t the same. I had titanium screws and plates for about a year. It took me two-and-a-half years to recover.”

Flores was a late addition to the team senior year.

“I didn’t tell my mom I was practicing this summer,” he said. “She thought I was at basketball and baseball practice. I convinced her to let me play. She was against it because of what happened to me when I was younger. I was just hungry to play. It’s something I couldn’t do for a long time. I loved being on the field. I built enough strength to be able to compete at a high level.”

Flores will attend UC Merced.

He’ll focus on academics.

“I loved playing sports,” he said. “I had a lot of fun. If God has another plan for me, I have to explore and see what’s out there.”

Flores plans to earn a degree in engineering.

“It’s close to home and a good school,” he said. “I want to become a mechanical engineer.”