Winter Sports are Here, and it’s going to go fast.
By Coach Colin McBride
Basketball:
Modesto High: Josh Marchy returns for his 2nd season as the girls’ head varsity coach; his top players are led by seniors Mave Kidd & Linda Anderson. The Mohi girls’ program is looking to be competitive this year.
Modesto High: TJ Walker, a Mohi graduate from the class of 1993, returns to his alma mater to head the boys’ basketball program this year. Coach Walker has 14 years of experience coaching high school basketball. Coach Walker is looking to rebuild the program & to lay down the foundation for a competitive program. This begins with being a well-rounded student-athlete, starting in the classroom, the weight room, and the gym.
Enochs High: Chris Ramsay returns for his 3rd year as the head varsity coach, along with coach Reese Dehart as his varsity assistant head coach. Enochs is coming off 8-2 league season in the CCAL with finishing 2nd place and with a 1st round playoff appearance. The top returning players Juniors, Alivia Pierce & JJ Amezcua & Rylie Bethke, along with senior, Sasha Zuideme. Coach Ramsay also has several varsity returning players and is looking to build on last year’s success and compete for a league title.
Enochs High: Craig Bernardi returns for his 6th season as the head varsity coach of the boys’ program. The boy’s program enters its season with younger talent, especially after graduating 7 seniors last year. The Eagles are led by Joseph Ponteras & Marcus Leon & Louie Dill. Last year, Coach Bernardi broke a 16-year drought, sharing a league CCAL championship season with Gregori.
Beyer High: Kyle McKim returns for his 11th season as the head varsity coach. His top players are Brian Perry, Georgie Dancer & McKay Bundy, his top new players are Curtis Harmon, James McGee & Rodeny Oliney. Coach McKim is coming off a WAC championship season last year, and his goal is to have a great culture, maximize our abilities, and overachieve.
Central Catholic: Mike Wilson returns for his 22nd season, leading the boys’ varsity program as head coach. His top players are the league MVP senior, Jordan Magana. Along with First Team All-League Amare Waterford & Colin Benninger & Zach Ishmail, his top new players are Eli Ramos, Aiden Wildenburg & Teegan Case. Coach Wilson says his biggest surprise is incoming freshman Chase Court. His goal is always the same: league champ, section champs, and state.
Wrestling:
Johansen: Rod Smith Jr returns for his 5th season as the head varsity coach & 11th overall season. His top players are Rances Barlandas, Isaiah Jauregui, Atticus Nichols, Travis Knopp, Jayden Saing, Fernando Silveira & Gavin Herndon. Coach Smith Jr goal is to win the WAC title this year.
Downey: Luis Magana returns for his 4th season as head coach of the varsity team. His top players are Francisco Pulido, Jairo Torres & Kimberely Barrera. Top new players are Kaylee Coco, Toni Amezca, Tino Cadriel, Emmett McMurtry & Alonso Sanchez. Coach Magana’s goal is to improve, grow & prepare our student athletes for success both on and off the mat.
Modesto: Joshua Kemplin returns for his second year as head coach of the varsity team, having spent four years with the program overall. His top players are Phoenix Salas & Phoenix De La Cruz, Salvador Diaz & Anthony Valera. Miley Kemplin, Odette Santana, Praise Ingram, Jayden Beca. Coach Kemplin’s goal this year is to teach these young student-athletes what hard work is all about. How to be mentally tough and how to win and lose. How to be a coachable individual and a good teammate. His ultimate goal for his last team is to help these athletes reach their full potential when the postseason arrives.
