Top stars, best performances last week in Northern California high school basketball (Feb. 14-20)
They say that the playoffs is where stars are made, and NorCal high school basketball is now fully in playoff mode. Here's a look at the top performers in the first week of the playoffs across Northern California. All games referenced are playoff games unless noted otherwise.
Note: Entries are based on information provided by coaches, statisticians, media members and high school basketball fans. Don’t see any details for your team’s game? Email some stats to lance@scorebooklive.com.
GIRLS BASKETBALL:
Abigail Shoff, Enterprise G:
After scoring a career-high 51 points the previous week, Shoff opened up the playoffs with 41 points, 21 rebounds, two assists, and three steals on 14-27 shooting (4-10 3FG) in a 72-37 rout of Las Plumas.
Giselle Rodriguez, Fall River G:
Rodriguez went off for a 28-point, 13-rebound, 13-steal triple-double in a 70-33 win against Etna in the CIFNS Division 6 semifinals. She shot 11-17 from the field and also had two assists.
Aaliyah Thompson, Corcoran C:
Thompson averaged 26.5 points, 21.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 2.5 steals in two victories.
Karissa Jordan, Coalinga G:
In two wins so far, Jordan has averaged 29 points, 4.5 rebounds, four assists, 4.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Luna Rodriguez also had a huge week for the Horned Toads.
Ciera Thibodeau, Orestimba C:
Thibodeau opened the postseason with 22 points on 9-13 shooting, 19 rebounds, and five steals in a 59-45 win over Escalon.
Alyssa Jackson, Vanden G:
Jackson went for 27 points, six rebounds, seven steals, and three assists in a 96-point demolition of Casa Roble to start the playoffs.
Annie Belter, Hamilton F:
Belter posted 24 points, 18 rebounds, and two steals to lead the Braves past Los Molinos in their playoff-opener.
Mary Carter, Antelope F:
Carter outscored the competition in a rout of El Capitan with 26 points on 9-13 shooting, 10 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals.
Alex Gonzalez, The Academy - San Francisco G:
Gonzalez went off for 33 points (6-12 3FG) plus five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in a 64-49 win over Burton.
Nia Coleman, Monte Vista G:
Coleman helped lead the Mustangs to a pair of resounding wins to start the playoffs averaging 17.5 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, 4.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game, including a triple-double, shooting a whopping 16-20 from the field (3-4 3FG).
Aaliyah Johnson, Inderkum G:
Johnson led the Tigers to a lopsided victory against Downey to start the playoffs with 25 points on 10-16 shooting to match the opponent's total, plus six steals and five rebounds.
Isabel Tan, Cosumnes Oaks G:
Tan recorded 28 points on 7-12 shooting and three steals to guide the Wolfpack past Rocklin 61-54.
Karena Eberts, Miramonte F:
Eberts went off for 28 points, 18 rebounds, and three steals on 11-17 shooting in a 59-38 victory over Mission San Jose.
Zoe Tillery, Laguna Creek G:
Tillery led the Cardinals to a 77-30 blowout of Buhach Colony with 25 points, five assists, and four steals.
Elle Ladine, Pinewood G:
Ladine led the Wildcats to a 30-point playoff win over Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep with 18 points, six assists, three steals, two blocks, and a whopping 30 boards.
Tegan Gaines, Northgate G:
Gaines led the Broncos to a 47-42 win against Windsor with 21 points, 8 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Renaissance Johnson, Weed C:
Johnson scored 25 PPG through Weed's first two playoff games, both big wins.
Karli Reynolds, Weed G:
Reynolds also averaged exactly 25 PPG in the Cougars' first two playoff contests.
Kailei Gonzalez, Wood G:
Gonzalez had a career-high 29 points in an overtime loss to El Dorado.
Amanda Diaz, Pacific Bay Christian G:
To start the week, Diaz averaged 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and three assists per game to lead the Eagles to a pair of league wins. Then she had 30 points shooting 10-18 from three to go with five assists, five steals, and three rebounds in a playoff blowout of ACE Charter.
BOYS BASKETBALL:
Kentavion Pierce, Castlemont G:
In two league games last week, Pierce averaged 32 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Sirod Winters, Cristo Rey De La Salle G:
Winters averaged 31.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and two assists per game in two games last week shooting 59.4% from the field.
Peyton Yarbrough, Elliot Christian F:
Yarbrough opened the playoffs with a 16-point, 13-rebounds, 12-assist triple-double in a 25-point win over Stockton Christian. He also racked up eight blocks and was two steals away from a five-by-five.
Ethan Patterson, Bradshaw Christian G:
Patterson dropped a career-high 31 points to avenge a blowout loss from a week earlier and lead The Pride past Argonaut 59-55.
Rashad Samuels, Chico G:
Samuels scored 21 points on 9-15 shooting and had five assists, three rebounds, and three steals as the Panthers blew out Las Plumas to start the playoffs.
Kaleb Salazar, Monache G:
Salazar averaged 21.5 points, three rebounds, three assists, and 2.5 steals per game on 54.2% shooting in two playoff wins.
Mykayle McCoy, Roosevelt (Fresno) F:
McCoy helped lead Roosevelt to a pair of playoff wins averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game on 55.6% shooting. Josh Nicholson also had a huge week for the Rough Riders.
Gilbert Maravilla, Sierra Pacific G:
Maravilla had 25 points on 8-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, and two assists in the Golden Bears' playoff-opening win.
Dylan Swillis, Central (Fresno) G:
Swillis scored 22 points to lead the Grizzlies past Porterville.
Drew Vizenor, St. Bernard's G:
Vizenor scored 28 points and 24 points in routs of Calistoga and Mendocino, respectively.
Max Parmigiani, American Canyon G:
Parmiginiani had 21 points on 6-9 shooting (5-8 3FG) plus four boards and three assists to lead the Wolves past Cardinal Newman in their playoff-opener.
Ryan Beasley, Dougherty Valley G:
Beasley scored 23 points on 8-11 shooting (3-5 3FG) and had four rebounds, four assists, and five steals in an 84-52 win over Antioch, and helped lead the Wildcats over Mt. Eden in the next round as well.
David Schumaker, Forest Lake Christian F:
Schumaker led the Falcons past Alpha Charter in their playoff-opener with 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and four steals on 9-12 shooting.
Harrison Alexander, Bear River C:
Alexander led the Bruins to a 43-42 win over Leroy Greene Academy with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Mario Plasencia, Denair G:
Plascencia had a season-high 23 points and career-high 22 rebounds, plus three steals and two assists, in a league win against Mariposa County.
Omari Nesbit, Burbank G:
Nesbit went for 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in a 71-53 victory against Union Mine.
Malachi Miller, Central Catholic G:
Miller helped lead the Raiders to a 70-56 win over Wood with 25 points on 7-14 shooting, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
James Cook, Center F:
Cook had 16 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks on 7-11 shooting in a 64-53 win over Lincoln (Lincoln).
Ameere Britton, Elk Grove G:
Britton scored 20 points on 7-14 shooting to go with eight rebounds, nine assists, and three steals in a 67-44 victory versus Atwater. DaJon Lott Jr. also had a big double-double for The Thundering Herd.
Leon Mills, Edison (Stockton) G:
Mills helped lead the Vikings to a 70-58 win over Pleasant Grove with 25 points on 8-16 shooting, eight steals, and four assists.
Elliot Mobley, West Ranch G:
Mobley scored 21 points on 50% shooting and registered six steals and three assists in a 75-73 win over Oak Ridge.