Here’s some record updates and highlights of top coaches, players & teams from the past week 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.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Senior Nate Kendrick from Immanuel of Reedley became the 21st player in section history to reach 2,000 career points when he scored a game high of 43 points, 28 coming in the second half, in a 81-57 win over Central Valley Christian of Visalia. Kendrick, who has been one of the state’s leading scorers all season, has set three school records heading into the playoffs — most points (82), most career three-pointers (245) and most free throws made (265).
Sophomore Jalen Green of San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno) scored on a dunk in the fourth quarter of a 66-63 win over Bullard of Fresno to break Clifton Pondexter’s season point total school record of 782 set in 1973. Green finished the game with 22 points and now has 786 points for the season. SJM also captured the County/Metro League championship outright. Teammate Dameane Douglas chipped in 21 points. Dameane led the Central Section in scoring during his junior year while playing for Hanford West with a 32.0 average, the fourth best average in the section history.
Senior William Pallesi of Selma made four three-pointers and had 19 points in a 79-43 win over Kingsburg. The significance of that is that Pallesi now has 311 career 3-pointers for a new section record. He broke the previous record total of 309.
Senior Tyler Boutte of Trona set two career highs by scoring 38 points and making eight 3-pointers in a 78-55 against Owens Valley of Independence.
Anthony Martinez of Clovis has been the backbone of his team all season long and scored a game high 31 points and made seven 3-pointers in a 69-63 loss to #1 Clovis West. Anthony needs 16 points in the playoffs to become the school’s career point leader.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Sophomore Breanna Hurt of Kerman became the ninth player in section history to score 50 points in one game when she scored 50 on the button in a 67-36 win over Liberty-Madera Ranchos. Our NorCal Girls BB Player of the Week also reached 1,000 career points.
