Here’s some record updates and highlights of top players & teams from the recent weeks as reported to us from CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett of Fresno. Bob has done phenomenal work on behalf of CIF Central Section schools, athletes and coaches for more than 40 years.
COACHES WATCH
Brad Felder of Hanford and Mark Hatton of Tulare are both approaching 500 career wins in boys basketball. Both had 497 career wins beginning this week. Mark Hutson, the former Bakersfield High coach, leads the section with 511.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Junior Ishmael Cruz of Fresno High was chosen MVP of the Jesse Luna Memorial Tournament after the Warriors beat Madera South 76-64 in the championship game. Ishmael also set a school record by making nine three-pointers & scored 31 points in a 90-30 win against Caruthers in the HIT.
Senior Manny Singh of Selma scored a career high of 41 points, the third best in school history, and made six three-pointers and 11-of-13 at the free-throw line as Selma beat Kennedy of Delano 68-42 in the Jesse Lujan Memorial Tournament.
California City as a team set a new Central Section record by making 22-of-51 three-pointers in a 115-72 win over McAuliffe of Lancaster in December.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Junior Savannah Tucker of Clovis North matched her season high by scoring 32 points in a 79-40 win over Modesto Christian.
Junior Madison Campbell of Clovis West set a school record by scoring 41 points in a 81-58 over Lake Highland.
Krystale Gutierrez of Immanuel (Reedley) set a school record by scoring 46 points and made 16 free-throws and had 15 rebounds plus 10 steals in a 78-68 over Firebaugh.
Finally, freshman Jazmine Soto of Strathmore scored a game high of 35 points in a 71-42 win over Bishop Union.
