That Orlando Johnson was named the Most Valuable Player in the
Tri-County Athletic League was about as surprising as Palma winning
the league title.
That Orlando Johnson was named the Most Valuable Player in the Tri-County Athletic League was about as surprising as Palma winning the league title.
Johnson and the Chieftains were that dominant in boys basketball this season. It wasn’t just that the 6-5 Loyola Marymount-bound senior led the TCAL in scoring. He made his teammates better because of all the defensive attention that went his way, and yet was praised by coach Paul Alioto as a team player all the way.
Gilroy, which finished second in the league at 9-3, was well represented with three players on the first team. Guards Javin Charlot and Kameron Handy were the players who made the Mustangs go offensively. Spencer Ford, who made Gilroy a force to be reckoned with down the stretch, joined his fellow GHS seniors on the first team.
“We were well represented,” Mustang assistant coach Jeremy Dirks said recently.
Charlot was arguably the top point guard in the league, leading the team in assists and steals, and finishing second for Gilroy in scoring with an 11.6 average. Handy hit more big shots throughout the season than any other Mustang and was the team’s leading scorer with a 12.9 average. Ford finished the season with five straight double-doubles, becoming the force coach Bud Ogden and Dirks had anticipated.
Palma placed two players – juniors John Bonano and Clark Fox – on the first team as well as having Alioto selected Coach of the Year after guiding the Chieftains to a 12-0 TCAL record.
Other Gilroy players to pick up honors were Lorenzo Dobson, second team; Jason Conrad, all-defensive team; and Derek Jensen, sportsmanship team.
TCAL All-League Boys Basketball
MVP-Orlando Johnson, Palma.
First team-Kameron Handy, Javin Charlot and Spencer Ford, Gilroy; John Bonano and Clark Fox, Palma; Harvey Todd, Alvarez; R.J. Pua, Salinas; Elias Rivera, Alisal; Todd Janisch, San Benito.
Second team-Jonathan Benavente, Palma; James Smith, Alvarez; Christian Camacho, Alisal; Derek Toney, Salinas; Marty Bueno, San Benito; Ervin Dawson-Rosario, North Salinas; Lorenzo Dobson, Gilroy.
All-defensive team-Nate Ramirez, Palma; Jason Conrad, Gilroy; Justin Mucha, Alisal; Armond McKenzie, Salinas; Kevin Burley, San Benito; Eric Rodriguez, Alvarez; Sal Moran, North Salinas.
Freshman of the year-Jonathan Sosa, Alisal.
Sophomore of the year-Mark Ramos, North Salinas.
Sportsmanship team-Jordan Ramirez, Alisal; David Rubio, Alvarez; Carlos Ramos, San Benito; Derek Jensen, Gilroy; Marcos Martinez, North Salinas; Adam Jackson, Palma; Joey Vasher, Salinas.
Coach of the year-Paul Alioto, Palma.
