Seniors dominate all-league lists
The All-Desert and Imperial Valley League boys’ basketball first and second teams were dominated by experienced and senior athletes making for a competitive year among all the local teams. Both leagues’ Player of the Year winners were seniors. Palo Verde’s Manuel Arroyo picked up the Desert League honor, while Grant Hansink was the selectee for the IVL.
Both athletes helped their teams to winning seasons with Arroyo helping the Yellowjackets to another Desert League title, while Hansink helped lead the Eagles to the CIF-San Diego Section Div. IV title game.
In the Desert League, six of the 10 first and second team spots went to seniors, while the remaining four spots went to juniors.
In the IVL, nine of the 10 first and second teams’ players were seniors, with the final spot going to a sophomore. For the Desert League champs from Palo Verde Jermey Ward and Andres Whitson also had all-league mentions.
In the IVL, the squad from Brawley Union High edged out Central to win its second straight league crown, with Jon Zarate, Daniel Gonzalez and Austin Brewer all appearing on the allleague list.
For the Spartans, Diego Navarro, Diego Baez and Khalil Wyatt were selected as all-league honorees, with Wyatt being the only underclassman to appear on either league’s list. Wyatt completed his sophomore year earlier this month.
2018 boys’ basketball All-Desert League first team
Izrael Tampubolon, Calipatria High Ben Rolfe, Holtville High Robert Quintero, Imperial High Manuel Arroyo, Palo Verde Valley Jermey Ward, Palo Verde Valley
2018 boys’ basketball All-Desert League second team
Julian Medina, Calipatria High Issac Perez, Calipatria High Tavo Loya, Holtville High Haider Away, Imperial High Andres Whitson, Palo Verde
2018 boys’ basketball All-Imperial Valley League first team
Daniel Gonzalez, Brawley Union High
Jon Zarate, Brawley Union High Carlos Camacho, Calexico High Diego Navarro, Central Union High Grant Hansink, Southwest High
2018 boys’ basketball All-Imperial Valley League first team
Austin Brewer, Brawley Union High Alan Esparza, Calexico High Diego Baez, Central Union High Khalil Wyatt, Central Union High Ryan Silva-Bradley, Southwest High