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Player of the year
Marsalis Roberson, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-5, junior
O’Dowd uses a metric called stat points to measure a player’s productivity, which was started decades ago by the program’s former coach, Mike Phelps, and continues to be employed by current coach Lou Richie. It takes into account made shots, missed shots, rebounds, charges, assists and turnovers. Roberson was the team’s stat-point leader this season at 29.14 per game. He also led the Dragons in conventional metrics — points (16.45) and rebounds (6.34) — while helping the Oakland powerhouse close the season with 18 consecutive wins and advance to the NorCal Open final, which was never played because of the coronavirus pandemic. Named the player of the year in the West Alameda County Conference’s Foothill League, Roberson also is the Bay Area Preps HQ’s player of the year. Full story here.
First team
Robby Beasley, Dougherty Valley, 6-2, senior
The three-star recruit bound for Montana stuffed the stat sheet after transferring from Dublin for his senior year. Beasley averaged 23.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals over 20 games. He recorded seven double-doubles, and in a win over Pittsburg put up a season-high 40 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, eight steals and a block. But in his much-anticipated return to Dublin on Feb. 13, Beasley suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee and missed the remainder of the season — a five-game skid after the Wildcats got off a 22-2 start.
Monty Bowser, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-5, senior
West Alameda County Conference Foothill League first-team forward was a key contributor as O’Dowd reached the CIF NorCal Open Division final. The Cal-bound Bowser averaged 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Played his best basketball down the stretch. Averaged 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the postseason. His postseason rebounding average was tied for the team-high. Was a three-star recruit as rated by 247sports.com. Dragons were supposed to play top seed Sheldon-Sacramento for the regional title, but the game was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Je’Lani Clark, Archbishop Riordan, 6-3, senior
The West Catholic Athletic League co-player of the year, Clark helped lead Riordan to a share of the league championship. The Nevada signee averaged 15.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Had 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 92-69 win over Sacred Heart Cathedral that clinched a piece of the league crown. Clark had plenty of big performances in WCAL play, including 20 points in a 62-51 win over Mitty for Riordan’s first win at the San Jose school since 2002.
Jalen Lewis, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-9, freshman
First-team all-West Alameda County Conference Foothill League selection was at his best in the biggest games. In the NCS Open Division final against Dublin, a 75-72 O’Dowd triumph, the 14-year-old had 22 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. In a NorCal Open semifinal victory at Archbishop Mitty, he finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. On MLK day against Campolindo, he had 15 points and eight rebounds and hit the winning jump shot from 16 feet out in the closing seconds. The budding superstar averaged 9.8 points and 6.3 rebounds for the season but raised his numbers to 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in the playoffs.
Aidan Mahaney, Campolindo, 6-3, sophomore
Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division’s player of the year led a balanced team to its second consecutive CIF NorCal regional championship, this time in Division I. Among many highlights, none was more impressive than the 29 points he scored — 24 after halftime — to lead Campo past nemesis Salesian 60-59 in a regional semifinal. Averaged 19.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals. Denied a shot to win back-to-back state titles with his brother, Carter, a senior, when the CIF canceled the remainder of the playoffs because of coronavirus. The four-star recruit is rated No. 8 in California’s Class of 2022 by 247sports.com
Michael Mitchell, Archbishop Mitty, 6-3, junior
The Pepperdine commit and co-player of the year in the West Catholic Athletic League was the engine that powered the top team in the Central Coast Section. Mitchell averaged 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game, helping the Monarchs earn a share of the WCAL title with Bellarmine and Archbishop Riordan. The tiebreaker came at Maples Pavilion on Feb. 28 as Mitty claimed the CCS Open Division championship with a 44-41 victory over Bellarmine.
Anthony Roy, Dublin, 6-4, senior
Player of the year in the East Bay Athletic League. Helped lead Dublin to the EBAL championship and first North Coast Section Open Division final. Averaged 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals for a team that qualified for the CIF NorCal Open regional for the first time and came within a whisker of reaching the title game. Highlights include a 22-point, eight-rebound performance against Bellarmine in the NorCal Open quarterfinals, a 73-69 Dublin victory.
Second team
Justin Anderson, Menlo-Atherton, 6-0, senior
The MVP of the Peninsula Athletic League South Division is bound for Washington State to play football. A two-way standout on the gridiron during a state title run in 2018, Anderson also shined on both ends of the court for the Bears as a terrific defender who averaged about 10 points per game. With Anderson helping to lead the way, M-A was the only public school to advance to the CCS Open semifinals the past two seasons.
Emmanuel Callas, Campolindo, 6-5, junior
First-team all-league pick in the Diablo Athletic League’s Foothill Division averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Led Cougars in rebounding. Had five double-doubles, all Campo wins, against Sacred Heart Cathedral, Weston Ranch-Stockton, Modesto Christian, Las Lomas and San Leandro. Played his best in big games. Scored 33 points in a two-point win at Capital Christian-Sacramento in the CIF NorCal Division I quarterfinals. Had 18 points in CIF NorCal final win at De La Salle. Campo was supposed to play Ribet Academy-Los Angeles for CIF D-I state title, but the game was canceled due to COVID 19.
Miles Daniels, De La Salle, 6-1, junior
First-team all-East Bay Athletic League selection helped lead De La Salle to the North Coast Section Division I championship and NorCal Division I final. The guard averaged 11 points, four rebounds and four assists per game as the Spartans finished 24-8. When De La Salle snapped Dougherty Valley’s 18-game winning streak late in the season, Daniels led the way with 21 points.
Quinn Denker, Bellarmine, 6-3, senior
First-team all-West Catholic Athletic League guard averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals for a Bellarmine team that went 23-5 and reached CIF NorCal Open Division playoffs. Bells finished in a three-way tie for first in tough WCAL. Denker, whose favorite player was Kobe Bryant, scored 24 points in a victory over Valley Christian two days after his hero’s death in a helicopter crash Jan. 26. Is the son of former Santa Clara University women’s coach Chris Denker, now an assistant at Bellarmine.
Bryce Monroe, Archbishop Riordan, 5-11, senior
A first-team all-West Catholic Athletic League selection, Monroe averaged 20.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The Sam Houston State-bound guard had a 32-point effort in a 76-62 victory over Vanden in the CIF NorCal Division I quarterfinals, which turned out to be the Crusaders’ final game. The team’s season ended March 9 due to a Riordan student testing positive for coronavirus. Monroe had a number of high-scoring games, including 24 points in a 62-51 victory at Mitty.
Te’Jon Sawyer, Salesian, 6-8, senior
The Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division most valuable player, Sawyer averaged 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. The forward was an accurate shooter both close and far away from the basket — he had a 62.2 field-goal percentage this season and 34.5 from beyond the 3-point line. Sawyer had 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the final game of his high school career, a 60-59 loss to Campolindo in a CIF NorCal Division I semifinal. “He’s a great player,” Campolindo coach Steven Dyer said.
Ciri Sawyers, San Leandro, 6-3, senior
A human highlight reel, the versatile forward constantly displayed his explosiveness. During the Christmas break, he returned home as the 2019 Rancho Mirage Holiday Invitational slam dunk champion. In a victory over Piedmont, Sawyers erupted for 35 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. A first-team all-West Alameda County Conference Foothill League selection, he helped the Pirates qualify for the inaugural NCS Open Division playoffs.
Third team
Jaden Alexander, St. Patrick-St. Vincent, 6-4, junior
First-team all-Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division pick had a sensational season for the NCS Division III champion and NorCal Division II runner-up. Averaged 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as the Bruins finished 26-11. Had 32 points in a four-point win over De Anza during league play and 25 points and nine rebounds in a six-point win over St. Joseph Notre Dame to reach an NCS final.
Luke Barrett, Piedmont, 6-5, senior
Received first-team honors in the West Alameda County Conference’s Foothill League while helping to propel the Highlanders to their first North Coast Section final in 91 years. Unlike in 1929, Piedmont celebrated the championship, rallying to defeat St. Mary’s-Berkeley 77-67 for the Division IV crown. Barrett scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half of the title game. “I stopped and told him in the locker room at halftime, ‘You’re the best player on the court, start acting like it,’” coach Ben Spencer said that day. “He went out there and performed in the second half.” Barrett averaged 17 points on the season.
Ian Elam, Bellarmine, 6-6, senior
The co-captain could be considered the glue guy for the Bells, who for the fifth year in a row advanced to the CCS Open Division championship game. Whether he took the charge, blocked a shot, pushed the pace with an outlet pass, crashed the boards and either sank a 3-pointer or stuffed the basket, Elam did it all while averaging 12 points, 3.6 rebounds 1.6 assists. He was recognized with the CCS sportsmanship award after leading the Bells with 15 points in the Open Division final.
Marcus Greene, Archbishop Mitty, 6-3, senior
The first-team all-West Catholic Athletic League selection averaged 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals per game. The guard was also a huge threat from beyond the 3-point arc, shooting 41 percent. Greene scored 16 points in a 69-38 win over Menlo School in the first round of the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs. He also scored 14 points in a 75-54 victory at Valley Christian that clinched a share of the WCAL title.
Devon Jackson, Dublin, 6-1, senior
All-East Bay Athletic League first-team guard had a strong season, averaging 9.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Helped Gaels reach the CIF NorCal Open Division semifinals before being eliminated by Sheldon-Sacramento, 59-58. Jackson was at his best in the one-point loss to Sheldon, with team-highs in points (18) and rebounds (six).
Brah’Jon Thompson, James Logan, 5-10, senior
Mission Valley Athletic League’s most valuable player was a dynamic scorer for a team that underwent a rebuild after winning the CIF NorCal Division I title the previous season. Made national news late in February for an act of kindness. He passed to an opposing player during the closing seconds of a blowout win for Logan because the player, who seldom got in a game, wanted to score.
Jaylen Thompson, St. Joseph-Notre Dame, 6-6, sophomore
Rated a four-star recruit by 247sports.com and three-star by Rivals.com. Ranked the ninth-best player in California’s 2022 class by 247sports. Has offers from Stanford and USC. Bay Counties-East first-team all-league. Forward averaged 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals for Pilots, who went 23-8 overall. Was MVP of the Bay Counties-East tournament.
Coach of the year
Tom Costello, Dublin
Molded a group of seniors who were overlooked after Robby Beasley, the program’s only first-team all-league player from the previous season, transferred. Guided the Gaels to possibly the best season in the program’s history. They won the East Bay Athletic League championship, beat Campolindo en route to playing in the inaugural North Coast Section Open Division final and received their first bid to the NorCal Open regional. In a five-team heavyweight bracket, Dublin beat Bellarmine 73-69 before losing to top seed Sheldon 59-58 in the semifinals. Led by seniors Devon Jackson, Jaden Saunders, Anthony Roy, Malik Jackson and Nick Costello — the coach’s son — the Gaels finished 24-7 and made Costello one proud coach.
Honorable mention
Antonio Abeyta, Serra, senior
Kiki Aguirre, San Leandro, senior
Austin Balentine, Washington, senior
Shane Bell, Salesian, senior
Rohan Bindu, Evergreen Valley, senior
Alex Bone, Design Tech, sophomore
Aidan Braccia, Sacred Heart Prep, sophomore
Owen Browne, Archbishop Mitty, senior
Nigel Burris, Archbishop Mitty, junior
JT Byrne, Carmel, junior
Radhir Chenna, Evergreen Valley, senior
Shawn Cotton, Hillsdale, senior
Noah Clifford, De La Salle, sophomore
Nico D’Augusta, Los Altos, sophomore
Massal Diouf, Athenian, junior
Jayson Downs, Clayton Valley Charter, senior
AJ Dungo, Hercules, senior
Mykola Ediger, Half Moon Bay, junior
Jorren Edmonds, Washington, junior
Daniel Fagan, De Anza, senior
Mahmoud Fofana, Santa Teresa, senior
Tyson Geraci, San Marin, junior
Jack Greenwood, Marin Catholic, senior
Adonis Gutierrez, Piner, senior
Tejuan Hale, Oakland Tech, junior
Dionte Hill, San Lorenzo, senior
Dishon Jackson, St. Patrick-St. Vincent, senior
Malik Jackson, Dublin, senior
DJ Johnson, Moreau Catholic, junior
Cole Kastner, Menlo School, senior
Miles Keeffe, Branson, junior
Isaiah Kerr, St. Francis, sophomore
Ryan Kiachian, Bellarmine, junior
Trey Knight, Moreau Catholic, sophomore
Calvin Mader-Clark, Hillsdale, sophomore
Carter Mahaney, Campolindo, senior
Hikifo’ou Maile, San Leandro, senior
Matthew Marzano, Palo Alto, senior
Matt Meredith, Miramonte, sophomore
Justin Milch, Terra Nova, junior
Isaiah Minor, Woodside, sophomore
Peyton Mullarkey, Branson, senior
Harry Nauci, Santa Clara, junior
Josh Niusulu, Alameda, senior
Ryzon Norris, Bishop O’Dowd, senior
Caleb Onuonga, Mountain View Academy, senior
Justice Owens, Pioneer, junior
Taj Phillips, Bishop O’Dowd, junior
Jason Plasschaert, University Prep-San Jose, senior
Lukas Prongos, Branson, senior
Ryan Purpur, Palo Alto, senior
Raymond Reece, Eastside College Prep, junior
Nay’Veon Reed, Newark Memorial, junior
Fabian Reichstadt, Del Mar, junior
AJ Rohosy, Marin Catholic, junior
Nate Rutchena, Monte Vista, senior
Jared Sadler, Piner, senior
Jaden Saunders, Dublin, senior
Zach Schaffer, Concord, senior
Sam Schult, Sequoia, senior
Sebastien Scott, San Ramon Valley, senior
Mor Seck, Archbishop Riordan, sophomore
Aidan Sevilla, Dougherty Valley, junior
Diego Sotto, Pacific Bay Christian, senior
Ray-John Spears, Sacred Heart Cathedral, sophomore
Skyler Thomas, Menlo-Atherton, junior
Jack Townsend, Cupertino, senior
Nick Tripaldi, Menlo-Atherton, senior
D’Montay Warner, Antioch, senior
Alijah Washington, Piedmont Hills, junior
Jaylin Williams, Gilroy, senior
Willie Williams, Deer Valley, senior
Camron Young, Kennedy-Richmond, senior
How team was chosen
The Bay Area News Group high school sports staff picked the players.
