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, had 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.
San Benito sharpshooter Todd Janisch was selected for the first team. The senior shooting guard finished third in the league in scoring at 19.6 points per game and was also third in 3-point shooting with 18 treys.
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 San Benito players to pick up honors were Marty Bueno, second team; Kevin Burley, all-defensive team; and Carlos Ramos, sportsmanship team.
TCAL Awards
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.
