10 receive ALL-EYL honors
Porterville High School girls basketball won their first East Yosemite League title in a decade with a perfect league record and five players were recognized with ALL-EYL honors.
Five players from Monache, who tied for second in league with Tulare Union, also received ALL-EYL selections. However the ALL-EYL’S MVP once again went to Union’s Kiara Brown, who averaged 23 points and 14.2 rebounds per game in league. Porterville (27-6, 10-0 EYL) Juniors Jazlynne Medrano (15.3 ppg) and Jewelia Maniss (12.9 ppg) repeated as firstteam selections for Porterville and helped lead the team back to the CIF State playoffs.
“Jazlynne and Jewelia were two of the top three players in the EYL this season in my opinion,” PHS head coach David Kavern said. “Both could have had even better stats this season, but I do not believe in leaving starters in the game when we are leading our opponents by 20-25 points in the game.”
“Both have shown tremendous improvement from when they entered the program as freshmen to the completion of their junior season,” Kavern continued. “I expect them to have great summer programs and come back next year in tremendous condition and try and lead the program to another EYL title. Their dedication to being the best possible players in all aspects of the game started to come through this season and I expect will continue into next year.”
Making the second team as freshman this season were Madison Johnson (8.3 ppg), who played just six league games, and Nseije Ortiz (9.7 ppg). Sophomore Cienna Enriquez (4.6 ppg) was an honorable mention.
On his freshmen, Kavern said, “Madison and Nseije were in my opinion, the best two freshmen in the EYL and possibly Tulare County as well. Both had very strong freshmen seasons and now the experience of competing against varsity level players night in and night out will help drive them to continue to improve into next season.”
Seeded fourth in the Central Section Division IV playoffs, the Panthers lost in the semifinals to top-seed, backto-back Valley champions, San Joaquin Memorial (27-6). With the fourth seed in the CIF State Div. III playoffs, Porterville’s season came to an end with an overtime loss to 13th-seed Diamond Ranch (21-7) of Pomona. Monache (16-12, 7-3 EYL) Under first-year head coach
Junell Garcia, Monache had their best finish in the EYL in three years with a 7-3 record to tie for second place.
Senior Mia Pengilly (11.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg) was once again selected to the first team, along with senior Madisyn Baxter (7.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg). On the second team for the Marauders was sophomore Kailyn Castle (9.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg).
“All three of these players showed a lot of determination and perseverance all season long,” Garcia said. “Mia Pengilly has a strong desire to win games and this was clearly evident throughout the season. Madisyn Baxter was a true leader on and off the court, helping us to have a successful season.”
On Castle, Garcia said, “Kailyn Castle played the most minutes for our team, her tireless energy always pulled us through when we needed it. She is an amazing athlete, she is also very successful in volleyball and softball. Her competitive nature is a true gift to any team.”
Honorable mentions for the Marauders were seniors, Danielle Margosian (4.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Cieanna Correa (6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg).
For the Div. II Valley playoffs, Monache received the 10th-seed but lost in the opening round to seventh-seed Shafter (17-8).