Please note that this list doesn’t include players from Top 50 ranked teams (their totals are in those team writeups) or players from the CIF Central Section. For Central Section, see separate blog post provided by Bob Barnett. We collect stat stars in support of the state record files we continue to compile in football, boys hoops, girls hoops, baseball and softball. Be sure to send stat star updates for football and now basketball to markjtennis@gmail.com.
FOOTBALL
Joseph Barnes (Gilroy): The junior RB led Mustangs to their first CIF Central Coast Section title with 35 carries for 232 yards and five TDs in 38-21 victory over Menlo School of Atherton. The title came in CCS D5 (which doesn’t go to CIF regional games) but Gilroy ended 13-0 and there is always a chance that no other team in the state will end undefeated.
Beau Barrington (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa): In his team’s 59-56 loss to Marin Catholic in the NCS D3 final, Barrington completed 19 of 31 passes for 330 yards and three TDs and also rushed 16 times for 108 yards and two other scores. In the same game, teammate Mark Boschetti scored on a 100-yard kickoff return.
Zachary Bernard (Big Bear, Big Bear Lake): We’ll put Zach’s name into the state record book since he scored on a 99-yard run from scrimmage during Big Bear’s 37-23 victory against Santa Maria in the CIFSS D12 title game. Teammate Daniel Jett also had a big game with eight carries for 193 yards.
Spencer Petras (Marin Catholic, Kentfield): This is in the State Top 50 writeups, but including it here as well. The Oregon State commit hit on 24 of 42 passes for a whopping 502 yards and four TDs in 59-56 win over Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa in North Coast Section D3 final. The Wildcats in all had 698 yards in the game. Receiver Ben Skinner caught eight of those passes and piled up 256 yards and two TDs.
Branden Rankins (Aquinas, San Bernardino): In leading the Saints to a 14-0 record and their first CIFSS title in 12 years (this one in D9), Rankins ran for 263 yards on 39 carries and scored three times.
Tyerell Sturges-Cofer (Liberty, Brentwood): He piled up 255 yards rushing on 29 carries and scored three TDs as the Lions won the school’s first section title ever with a 37-0 romp past Freedom of Oakley. Keep in mind that Liberty started as a school in 1902.
Brock White (Rancho Verde, Moreno Valley): Similar to the Marin Catholic QB, wanted to put White’s outing onto the site in two places. He’s the sophomore QB who was 23 of 40 for 501 yards and four TDs in Rancho Verde’s 44-42 victory over St. F
Jason Wilkinson (Orange): In another historical championship, Wilkinson keyed the Panthers to their first CIFSS title since 1929. They beat Silver Valley of Yermo 30-20 in the D13 title game and in that game Wilkinson went 23 of 34 passing for 316 yards and two TDs. Jordan Schmidt also caught 10 passes for 178 yards and two TDs while Syrus Collins had 11 receptions for 128 yards.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Dylan Belquist (Los Gatos): Three-year standout has helped Wildcats get out to a 6-0 start and in the first game — a 71-64 win against Leigh of San Jose — he scored 44 points. He’s also had two 30-point games after that one.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Shyla LaTone (Bonita Vista, Chula Vista): She had an explosive season scoring the ball last year but was overshadowed a bit since Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year Destiny Littleton was leading the nation. LaTone poured in 45 points in her first game to lead the Barons past Imperial 84-45 and then in her third game she went for 49 in a 83-42 triumph over Helix.
