All-Section Teams: Most Valuable Player and 1st Team All-Section

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central California - This is the 5th Annual 661 Hoops All-Central Section teams, which represents 50 players from all areas within the Section, from Bakersfield to Fresno/Clovis to the Central Coast. These teams are designed to shed light on the players that earned MVP and 1st-Team all league honors, and not necessarily the top 50 prospects in the Section. These All-Section teams were compiled using the following criteria: individual league honors earned, success of the team in league and postseason play, and the statistics accumulated for the season. This article includes the following information: player name, position, height, school name, and current grade. We begin with the Most Outstanding Player, followed by the 1st Team All-Section roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Most Outstanding Player </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956462' first='Julius' last='Price']-Senior (6'3 | PG) - St. Joseph Knights (Santa Maria)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central Coast-Mountain League Most Valuable Player </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>257 Sports #91 ranked player in national 2026 grad class. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Price has been at the helm of the Knights offense since his freshman season, and has been one of the top players the past 4 years. This season, Price took over as the team's primary scorer, which helped his team have another 30 plus win season, win its league going undefeated, his first league MVP, and was pivotal in the Knights winning the D1 Section title, his 3rd in four years. Price had a great career on the club circuit playing for Team Why Not on the EYBL Circuit for three years, and is taking his talents to Stanford next year, where he committed earlier this year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>1st Team All-Section</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKae Amundsen-Senior (5'10 | PG) - Clovis North Broncos (Fresno)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1st Team All-Tri-River Athletic Conference</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 22 points, 4.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 steals </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Amundsen had an outstanding senior season for the Broncos and put up some unreal scoring numbers on several occasions this season. Amundsen achieved some career milestones this season to go down as one of the most decorated and accomplished players in program history. Amundsen became Clovis North's all-time leader in the following areas: scoring, assists, 3-pointers made, and steals. Over his tenure at Clovis North, Amundsen won a D1 Section title during his sophomore season, won the TRAC league title three times, and had one of the top scoring seasons in Broncos history, as his 21.8 points per game is second all-time in a season for Clovis North, behind AK Okereke. Amundsen has elite handles, shifty moves to shake his defender and create space for his jumper, can light it up from beyond the arc, has the court vision and decision making to find open teammates, and is a high-level on-ball defender that makes life hectic for opponents. He will continue his basketball career at Idaho State. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2646533' first='Taiwo' last='Daramola']-Junior (6'8 | PF) - Bakersfield Christian Eagles&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Yosemite Valley League Most Valuable Player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 14 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daramola has become one of the West Coast's premier shot blockers and rim protectors, but showed his game has developed into much more than a rebounder and rim protector. Daramola had two solid showings in the D1 Section playoffs, but took his game to another level in the D2 SoCal Regional playoffs, as he would put up a double-double in the four games leading to the D2 State title game, with his biggest game coming in the SoCal Regional Finals in a close win over Palisades, as he would put his team on his back and finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds to list his team to a win and Regional Championship. Daramola will be playing with Team CPSA PRO16 17u squad in the Spring and Summer, as well as with Bakersfield Christian during the scholastic live period events in June, and he is likely to pick up more offers to add to the ones he already has. Daramola will also be a likely candidate for MOP in next year's All-Section teams. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2700921' first='Kade' last='Johnson']-Senior (6'4 | WG) - Bakersfield Drillers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Yosemite Valley League All-1st Team Honors</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 19.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Johnson had an electric senior season for the Drillers and helped Bakersfield reach the D2 Section semifinals, take second place in its league, behind only Section power Bakersfield Christian, had numerous big time scoring outputs, and established himself as one of the top scorers, with one of the best mid-range pull-up jumpers in the Section. Johnson earned MVP of the annual Kern High All-Star Game and will take his talents to College of Sequoias. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leon Madec-Senior (6'6 | WG) - Fresno Christian Eagles&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Northwest Sequoia League Most Valuable Player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Madec transferred to Fresno Christian for his senior season and reminded the Section of his ability to score from 3-levels, a lights out shooter from beyond the arc at 50% shooting efficiency, elite court vision to find open teammates, and dropped 50 on senior night. Madec was pivotal in the Eagles going undefeated in league play, winning the NW Sequoia League outright, and earning league MVP honors. Madec has not decided on where he will go next year, but with his height, skill, and shooting efficiency, he will be a welcomed addition wherever he lands.  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Des Patton-Senior (5'9 | PG) - Buchanan Bears (Clovis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tri-River Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 7.5 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Patton stepped his overall game up big time for his senior season, and helped drive the Bears to an outright TRAC title with a 9-1 record, the #2 seed in the D1 Section playoffs, and a second consecutive trip to the D1 Section title game. Patton had several big time scoring outputs that led to critical wins in league play, and was the driving force behind the success that Buchanan had the last two seasons. Patton has solid handles, shifty moves to create off the bounce, crafty finishes around the basket to score over height, and the court vision to find openings in the defense to open teammates. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price']-Junior (6'2 | CG) - St. Joseph Knights (Santa Maria)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central Coast-Mountain League All-1st Team Honors </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>D1 Section Championship Game Most Outstanding Player  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Price has emerged as one of the top bucket getters in the Section, if not the state, which was on full display in the D1 Section playoffs, as he would have games of 41 points and 32 points against Centennial of Bakersfield and Buchanan of Clovis respectively. Price continues to move up the national rankings for the 2027 grad class, is the top ranked junior in the Section, and will look to take his game to new heights this Spring and Summer with Team Why Not on the EYBL circuit, as well as at Section 7 and Cali Live with St. Joseph during the June's scholarship live events. He should be the front-runner to win league MVP next year, as well as have a shot at most outstanding player honors for these All-Section Teams. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Shaw-Sophomore (6'6 | WF) - Centennial Golden Hawks (Bakersfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Yosemite River League co-MVP</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shaw was one of the most impactful players for any team in the Section this season, as his double-double average per game made him a constant presence in the paint on both ends, his accuracy with the 3-ball, and the team's top 3-point shooter, helped open up the court, as well as pulling bigger players from opposing teams away from the basket, and he displayed impressive rim protection to keep the opponent honest when looking to attack the basket. Shaw was a key reason the G-Hawks won its league outright with a 7-1 record, earned a spot as the #8 seed in the D1 Section playoffs, and showed he is one of the top sophomores in the Section. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3072422' first='Sajjin' last='Sidhu']-Senior (6'4 | CG) - San Joaquin Memorial Panthers (Fresno)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Country Metro Athletic Conference 1 Most Valuable Player </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 16.5 points, 4 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 45% from the 3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sidhu led the Panthers in scoring this past season, helped lead the Panthers to an undefeated league record and a CMAC 1 title, had some monster scoring outputs throughout the year, and hit arguably the biggest shot of his career to this point, as he was responsible for connecting on what would be the game winning jumper in the D2 State championship game to help San Joaquin secure its second D2 State title in four years. The skilled and crafty combo guard has become a reliable lead guard, can light it up from beyond the arc, and received his first D1 offer from CSU Bakersfield as the season was winding down. At the moment, he has not declared, but he will play at the next level. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2830146' first='Parker' last='Spees']-Senior (6'9 | PF) - San Joaquin Memorial Panthers (Fresno)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1st Team All-County/Metro 1 League </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 12.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>D2 State Championship Player of the Game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cal-Hi Sports Division 2 Player of the Year</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spees wrapped up one heck of a high school career with a second Division 2 State Championship, but unlike his freshman year where he mostly watched his team win the State title, this time he would be the focal point for the Panthers and was the reason it would win its second State title in four years. Spees has the court vision to make reads from the high-post, enough handles to attack from the top of the key, has nice touch on shots around the basket, can space the floor with the 3-ball, and controls the glass on both ends, as well as being a quality rim protector. He would help lead the Panthers to a CMAC 1 League title, going undefeated, and will be taking his basketball and academic talents to UC Irvine next year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2843567' first='Anthony' last='Smith']-Sophomore (6'4 | PG) - Clovis Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1st Team All-Tri-River Athletic Conference</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Season averages per game: 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3 steals </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Smith was the floor general for the talented Clovis squad this season and led the team in points per game. He was key in getting the Cougars the #2 seed in the D2 Section playoffs, and after a huge semifinal showing against Bakersfield to get his team to the title game, he played the facilitator role as Clovis would win its first Section title in decades, winning the Division 2 Section Championship. Smith is a dynamic player with elite handles, shifty moves to score off the dribble, can score it from 3-levels, is emerging as one of the top perimeter defenders in the Section, and will be a front-runner for league MVP next season, as the Cougars will be in the new CMAC league.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->