By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Six Spartans earn All-WAC for winter sports
All-WAC winter
Lathrop’s Alan Hernandez controls the ball in front of his coaches during the Ervin Mendiola Memorial Classic at Woodward Park. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL

 Alan Hernandez has been named Offensive Player of the Year while earning a third selection to the All-Western Athletic Conference boys soccer first team.

He is one of six Lathrop High student-athletes to make the all-conference first team in winter sports. Joining him were Andres Hurtado Garcia and Eduardo Torres, who were instrumental in the Spartans’ return to the boys soccer playoffs.

Shakara Porter repeated as an All-WAC girls basketball selection. Caiden Wisnieski got it for boys basketball, and Allana Lewis for girls soccer.


Boys soccer

The Spartans (7-5-2, 11-9-4 overall) took third in a tight conference for a third consecutive postseason appearance. They went on to advance to the second round, falling to eventual Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Liberty Ranch in overtime, 2-1.

Hernandez, who had an assist in the quarterfinal, had key moments as both creator and finisher in conference play. The junior midfielder totaled four goals and six assists while coming up with 88 steals in WAC games.

Hurtado Garcia contributed four goals and four assists. Torres scored once but was touted for his defensive work (74 steals) at fullback.

Making the all-conference second team were senior striker Juan Diego Morales (eight goals, two assists) and junior midfielder Omar Rodriguez (assist). Angel Barajas and Walter Villareal got honorable mention.

Pacheco’s Samuel Pinal was voted MVP.


All-WAC winter
Lathrop’s Shakara Porter splits two Ceres defenders when attacking the basket in Western Athletic Conference play. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin
Girls basketball

The girls basketball team missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, but with just two seniors graduating, Porter and the Spartans (7-7, 13-14) provided a promising peak into the future with their season-ending four-game winning streak capped by a 58-50 upset of Beyer.

Porter, a versatile forward and third-year varsity junior, led Lathrop with 9.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game. She scored a season-high 20 points in the win over Beyer, adding nine rebounds and five steals.

Sophomore guard Jaleiyah Ray (9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds) made the all-conference second team, while fellow underclassmen Faith Allen and Audrina Fisher earned honorable mention.

Top awards went to MVP Kali Saykao of co-runner-up Grace Davis, Impact Player of the Year Kylie Kulina of fourth-place Beyer and Defensive Player of the Year Sasha Siemiller of outright champion Pacheco.

All-WAC winter
Lathrop center Caiden Wisnieski goes to the basket against visiting Beyer.

Boys basketball

The 6-foot-6 Wisnieski had a breakout senior season, averaging 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in the WAC. His best game was a 23-point, 14-rebound outburst in a win over Livingston.

Lathrop finished 5-9 in the WAC and 10-18 overall. Sophomore guard Bryan Gamboa and junior wing Karambir Bisla received honorable mention.

Conference champion Beyer garnered the top awards, with Curtis Harmon getting named Most Valuable Player and Kyle McKim earning Coach of the Year.


Girls soccer

Lewis led the Spartans’ attack with three goals and two assists.

Junior defender Angelique Gonzalez represents Lathrop (3-20, 2-12) on the all-conference second team. Zoe Cejas and Dahlia Ricaldi made honorable mention.

Aralyn Jauregui is MVP after leading Central Valley to the outright title. Grace Davis’ Nicole Lopez was named Offensive Player of the Year.