The 2022-2023 high school basketball season had some big firsts. San Joaquin Memorial won its first CIF State Championship and Arroyo Grande won its first Central Section Championship in program history in Division 2. St. Joseph and Sierra won the Northern California Championships in the Open Division and Division 5 respectively. Clovis West won another TRAC title but shared it with Clovis North, Stockdale won a program-best 27 games, Bakersfield Christian and Centennial may have been game of the year, with Clovis North and Clovis West first game, and St. Joseph and San Joaquin Division 1 quarterfinal game in contention for that. Tounde Yessoufou continues to rise up the national player rankings, as he currently sits at #16 on ESPN’s Top 25 for the Class of 2025. Two players were named state players of the year by CalHi Sports, with Tounde being the top sophomore and Mike Davis for division 2.
I have put together the 2nd annual 661 Hoops Live All-Central Section Team Rosters. There are 3 teams of 10 players each, a Most Outstanding Player, and 15 players of honorable mention, for a total of 46 players from all areas within the Section. The All-Section Team rosters include the players’ names, schools they attend, grade in school, basketball position, a short description of their season highlights and accomplishments, and their season averages in key categories (if the information was made available). These rosters were constructed by taking the following factors into account: individual awards and accolades earned from play throughout the high school season; level of competition players competed against; success and achievements of the teams these players were a part of throughout preseason, league play, and in the postseason; individual statistics accumulated by the players; and input from media and coaches. I did not put any emphasis on achievements or accomplishments from club basketball played prior to the high school season, nor did I construct these rosters based on future potential and level of prospect. I want to thank all the coaches, players, parents, media, and members of the basketball community throughout the Central Section for helping me compile as many statistics as I could to provide that information for each player on these All-Section rosters. I have been fortunate to watch close to 100% of these players in person, and all if we include watching game film. I look forward to next season, as the future looks bright for Central Section basketball, but this article is designed to shed light on players that excelled this season. I begin with the overall Most Outstanding Player, Tounde Yessoufou.
Central Section’s Most Outstanding Player
Tounde Yessoufou-Sophomore, Guard/Wing (St. Joseph Knights/Santa Maria)
- Central Coast Mountain League Most Valuable Player
- CalHi Sports State Sophomore of the Year
- Ranked #16 in the national class of 2025 by ESPN
- Season Averages per Game: 27.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3.7 steals
- Led the Knights to the CIF Open Division Northern California State Title, Central Section Division 1 Championship, and an undefeated record in Mountain League play and another league title.
1st Team All-Central Section
Armari Carraway-Senior, Point Guard (San Joaquin Memorial/Fresno)
- County-Metro League co-Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 16 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds
- Lead guard that orchestrated the Panthers en route to the school’s 1st ever CIF State Championship (Division 2)
Caedin Hamilton-Senior, Forward/Center (St. Joseph Knights/Santa Maria)
- 1st Team All-Central Coast Mountain League
- Season Averages per Game: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists
- Anchored the Knights on both ends in the paint en route to the CIF Open Division Northern California State Title, Central Section Division 1 Championship, and an undefeated record in Mountain League play and another league title.
Gabriel Gutierrez-Sophomore, Point Guard (Bakersfield Christian Eagles)
- South Yosemite Valley League co-Most Valuable Player
- BVatsity All-Area co-Player of the Year
- Season Averages per Game: 16 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 rebounds
- Led the Eagles to an SYL-Valley league title and a spot in the final four of the Central Section Division 1 Playoffs.
Issac Martinez-Senior, Shooting Guard (Clovis West Golden Eagles/Fresno)
- Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference co-Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 13.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists
- Led the Golden Eagles to another TRAC league championship, as Clovis West was co-league champs. Earned multiple tournament MVPs and all-tournament honors.
Jaden Haire-Senior, Wing/Guard/Forward (Hanford West Huskies)
- Tri-County Kings Canyon League Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 21 points and 11 rebounds
- Led the Huskies to a Kings Canyon League title.
Jamar “JJ” Howard-Senior, Guard/Wing (Mission College Prep Royals/San Luis Obispo)
- 1st Team All-Central Coast Mountain League
- Season Averages per Game: 24.5 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists
- Led the Royals to a 2nd round appearance in Central Section Division 1 Playoffs and the semifinals of the CIF Southern California State Regional playoffs (Division 3).
Jhace Boston-Senior, Combo Guard (Stockdale Mustangs/Bakersfield)
- South Yosemite River League co-Most Valuable Player
- BVatsity All-Area co-Player of the Year
- Season Averages per Game: 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists
- Led the Mustangs to a program record 27 wins and a spot in the final four of the Central Section Division 1 Playoffs.
Jordan Espinoza-Junior, Wing/Guard (Clovis North Broncos/Fresno)
- Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference co-Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists
- Key piece for the Broncos that finished tied for 1st place in TRAC league play.
Michael Davis Jr.-Senior, Forward (San Joaquin Memorial Panthers/Fresno)
- County-Metro League co-Most Valuable Player
- CalHi Sports State Division 2 Player of the Year
- Season Averages per Game: 18 points and 10 rebounds
- Anchored the team averaging 20 plus points and 10 plus rebounds per game en route to the Panther’s first-ever CIF State Championship (Division 2).
Rippen Gill-Junior, Wing/Forward (Centennial Golden Hawks/Bakersfield)
- South Yosemite River League co-Most Valuable Player
- BVatsity All-Area co-Player of the Year
- Season Averages per Game: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists
- Led the Golden Hawks to an SYL-River title going undefeated in league play.
2nd Team All-Central Section
Bentley Waller-Junior, Point Guard (Bakersfield Christian)
- 1st Team All-South Yosemite Valley League
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team Selectee
- Season Averages per Game: 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists
Dalen Felder-Freshman, Combo Guard/Lead Guard (Clovis East Timberwolves)
- 1st Team All-Tri Rivers Athletic Conference
- Season Averages per Game: 18 points
- Led the TRAC in points per game as a freshman.
Deshawn Usochu-Junior, Combo Guard (Liberty Patriots/Bakersfield)
- 1st Team All-South Yosemite Valley League
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team
- Season Averages per Game: 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals
Jackson Young-Junior, Shooting Guard (Clovis West Golden Eagles/Fresno)
- Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference co-Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 11 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds
- Provided the spark from the perimeter that helped Clovis West win another TRAC title
Joaquin Rios-Senior, Guard/Wing (Stockdale Mustangs/Bakersfield)
- 1st Team All-South Yosemite Valley League
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team Selectee
- Season Averages per Game: 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists
- Four-year varsity starter and helped lead the Mustangs to a historical winning season with 27 wins.
Julius Price-Freshman, Point Guard (St. Joseph Knights/Santa Maria)
- 1st Team All-Central Coast Mountain League
- Season Averages per Game: 13 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1.5 steals
- Lead guard that stepped up big in the playoffs, as he had a monster 28 points game in the NorCal State Regional Semifinals.
Logan Kilbert-Junior, Combo Guard (Sierra Chieftains/Tollhouse)
- Northwest Sequoia League Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 2 assists
- Led the Chieftains to the NorCal State Regional Title (Division 5) and had a 50-point game this season.
Loukas Jones-Sophomore, Shooting Guard (Clovis North Broncos/Fresno)
- 1st Team All-Tri Rivers Athletic Conference
- Season Averages per Game: 10.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists
- Led the Broncos with 46 three-pointers made, as Clovis North finished tied for 1st place in TRAC league play.
Mykayle McCoy-Senior, Forward (Roosevelt Rough Riders/Fresno)
- North Yosemite League Most Valuable Player
- Season Averages per Game: 16 points and 11 rebounds
- Led the Rough Riders to a North Yosemite League title.
Tyron Tyler Jr.-Senior, Wing/Guard (Ridgeview Wolfpack)
- South Yosemite River League co-Most Valuable Player
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team Selectee
- Season Averages per Game: 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists
- Hepled the Wolfpack get back to relevance in South Valley hoops and had some monster double-double games this season.
3rd Team All-Central Section
Adam Silmon-Senior, Wing/Forward (Arroyo Grande Eagles)
- 1st Team All-Central Coast Mountain League
- Led the Eagles to the Central Section Division 2 championship and was Player of the Game.
Connor McFall-Senior, Guard/Wing (Kingsburg Vikings)
- 1st Team All-Tri-County Kings Canyon League
- Season Averages per Game: 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists
- Led the Vikings to the Central Section Division 3 Title and was named Player of the Game.
Demareya Cooks-Senior, Combo Guard (Mira Monte Lions/Bakersfield)
- South Yosemite Horizon League Most Valuable Player
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team Selectee
- Season Averages per Game: 20 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3 steals
- Led the Lions to an undefeated season and a South Yosemite Horizon League title.
Ja’Vance Coleman-Freshman, Combo Guard (Bullard Knights/Fresno)
- 1st Team All-County Metro League
- Season Averages per Game:12.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2 steals
JayJay Jones-Senior, Wing/Forward (Centennial Golden Hawks/Bakersfield)
- 1st Team All-South Yosemite River League
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team Selectee
- Season Averages per Game: 16 points and 6 rebounds
- Helped lead the Golden Hawks to another SYL-River title.
Javier Torres-Junior, Guard/Wing (Dinuba Emperors)
- 1st Team All-West Yosemite League
- Season Averages per Game: 16 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals
Julius Olanrewaju-Sophomore, Wing/Guard (San Joaquin Memorial Panthers/Fresno)
- 1st Team All-County Metro League
- Season Averages per Game: 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists
- Played a key role as one of the top scores for the Panthers en route to its first State Championship in school history.
Kaleb Cole-Senior, Forward (Sanger Apaches)
- 1st Team All-County Metro League
- Season Averages per Game: 17 points and 9 rebounds
- Led the Apaches to the Central Section Division 1 Playoffs.
Nic Esparza-Senior, Combo Guard (Selma Bears)
- 1st Team All-Tri-County Kings Canyon League
- Tri-County Kings Canyon League Offensive Player of the Year
- Season Averages per Game: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals
Zykavious Reese-Junior, Wing/Forward (West Bakersfield Vikings)
- South Yosemite Mountain League co-Most Valuable Player
- BVarsity All-Area 1st Team Selectee
- 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3 assists
- Led the Vikings to a co-SYL-Mountain title.
Honorable Mention
Amarius Rowel-Sophomore, Combo Guard (Independence Falcons/Bakersfield)
DeMel Turner-Senior, Point Guard (Lemoore Tigers)
- West Yosemite League Most Valuable Player
Dylan Swillis-Senior, Wing/Forward (Central Grizzlies/Fresno)
Josh Nicholson-Senior, Wing/Forward (Roosevelt Rough Riders/Fresno)
Justin Stroud-Junior, Wing/Forward (Central Valley Christian Cavaliers/Visalia)
Luis Marin-Senior, Combo Guard (St. Joseph Knights/Santa Maria)
Jaylen Bryant-Senior, Forward/Wing (Clovis North Broncos/Fresno)
Malachi Barnes-Sophomore, Point Guard (Sunnyside Wildcats/Fresno)
Mark Williams-Senior, Guard (Bullard Knights/Fresno)
Nate Becerra-Junior, Forward (North Bakersfield Stars)
Prince Ellis-Senior, Point Guard (Independence Falcons/Bakersfield)
Ray Brown-Junior, Combo Guard (Edison Tigers/Fresno)
Remy Barnes-Sophomore, Wing/Guard (Hanford West Huskies)
Shane Carr-Senior, Wing/Guard (South Bakersfield Spartans)
- South Yosemite Mountain League co-Most Valuable Player
Vaj Vance-Senior, Point Guard (Edison Tigers/Fresno)
