Matthew Hayes-Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove – Basketball

The senior guard led the Eagles’ offense through much of the postseason, coming up biggest in the CIF NorCal and State Championship games. Hayes averaged 16.2 points per game in the regional and state playoffs, including team highs in the final two championship contests. He scored a game-high 20 points in a 73-60 victory over Deer Valley-Antioch and followed that with a team-high 19 in the 73-57 state final against Santa Monica one week later. For the season, he finished with averages of 14.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest.

The senior guard led the Eagles’ offense through much of the postseason, coming up biggest in the CIF NorCal and State Championship games. Hayes averaged 16.2 points per game in the regional and state playoffs, including team highs in the final two championship contests. He scored a game-high 20 points in a 73-60 victory over Deer Valley-Antioch and followed that with a team-high 19 in the 73-57 state final against Santa Monica one week later. For the season, he finished with averages of 14.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest.

SportStars Magazine: Was there a catalyst for the increase in scoring in the playoffs, and particularly the NorCal and state finals?

Matthew Hayes: The coaches just told me take (my shots) and I wanted to win (the state championship) more than anything.

SSM: What was the feeling like to win a state title after not even winning your league title?

MH: I’m speechless. I’m just so happy for me and my team. It is a big accomplishment for us.

SSM: At what point did you truly believe this team could win a state championship?

MH: After the last loss to Sheldon (in the SJS Div. I final), we knew that they were going to the Open Division. We knew this is something we can do and this is our goal. With Sheldon out of the way, we knew this was our time to shine.

Mallory Velte — The Christian Brothers-Sacramento senior won her second consecutive CIF Girls’ Wrestling State championship with a convincing 11-2 victory in the final match. Her state title capped a perfect 40-0 season.

George Corp —The Woodcreek-Roseville senior catcher has helped the Timberwolves to a 4-2 start by batting .529 with 9 hits and 6 RBI. He recently doubled in 3-0 win over River Valley-Yuba City. 

Ali Bettencourt — The Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills junior guard led the Trojans to the NorCal final by averaging 21.2 points per game in the regional playoffs. Her biggest game came in a 49-32 win over Wilcox-Santa Clara where she drained seven 3-pointers en route to 27 points.