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Rose becomes third Lancer to be crowned league MVP
GHOOP-all-league-file
East Union guard Ashley Rose scored 18.5 points per game during the regular season and was voted the Valley Oak League’s Most Valuable Player. - photo by Bulletin file photo

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Valley Oak League

Most Valuable Player—G Ashley Rose, East Union, Sr.
Coach of the Year—Shawna Nunes, Ceres.
First team—F Jode Johnson, Ceres, So.; G Rachel McDaniel, East Union, Sr.; G Sharon Washington, Manteca, So.; G Cassandra Clark, Oakdale, So.; C Heather Scharmann, Sierra, Sr.; G Alison Perry, Sonora, Sr.
Second team—C Jamie Beck, Ceres, So.; G Julie Calderon, Central Valley, Sr.; F Ariel McIntyre, Sierra, Sr.; G Kelli Keefe, Sonora, So.; G Timnesha Wilson, Weston Ranch, So.
All-Defensive team—G Lili James, Ceres, So.; G Rachel McDaniel, East Union, Sr.; F Davina Bennett, Manteca, Jr.; G Kelli Keefe, Sonora, So.; G Timnesha Wilson, Weston Ranch, So.
Honorable mention—G Aimee Gunzenhauser, Ceres Sr.; F Shalane Jackson, East Union, Fr.; F Davina Bennett, Manteca, Jr.; C Jennie Paugh, Oakdale, Sr.; F Hannah Stanton, Oakdale, Sr.; F Larisa Rosenfield, Sonora, Jr.; G Tori Selesia, Sonora, Jr.; G Courtney Duran, Weston Ranch, Jr.; F Denell Fox, Weston Ranch, Fr.

Trans Valley League

Most Valuable Player—Brandi Henton, Modesto Christian
First team—Danielle Thompson, Modesto Christian; Lauren Luchessi, Modesto Christian, Taryn Garza, Modesto Christian; Bailey Tucker, Hughson; Christie Hobby, Hughson; Madelyn Birchall, Hughson; Skye Dominguez, Ripon; Kendra Contente, Ripon; Lauren Feddersen, Ripon; Kayla Evans, Ripon Christian; Kelsey Tillema, Ripon Christian.
Honorable mention—Vanessa Cagle, Modesto Christian; Valerie Moore, Modesto Christian; Stephani Agostino, Modesto Christian; Jessica Blythe, Ripon; Annie Gallego, Escalon; Anne Bacay, Escalon; Alyssa Adams, Riverbank; Jenni Manriquez, Riverbank.

The Valley Oak League’s reigning dynasty is keeping it in the royal family.

East Union senior Ashley Rose became the third different Lancer over the last three seasons to be voted the conference’s Most Valuable Player, following senior classmate Rachel McDaniel (2008) and Christin Gowan (2007).

The Lancers have captured three straight VOL championships and four of their last five. The season was highlighted by 16 straight victories to start, 27 wins total to tie a program record and their first Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinal appearance in 15 years.

“The legacy that those kids have left behind is the benchmark that other kids try to play to,” East Union assistant coach Scott Renke said. “We’ve just been fortunate to have young ladies that have not only been really talented, but have been willing to work hard on their game.

“Ashley is no exception to that. She did an unbelievable job this year.”

Rose and McDaniel, who earned first-team recognition, combined to form the league’s most potent backcourt tandem.

Rose averaged 18.5 points per game in league play, while contributing five assists and 3.5 steals. She was among the league’s top 3-point shooters, making 44 of 103.

In the last half of league, Rose averaged 22 points. The timing was perfect, as McDaniel began finding her stroke. McDaniel produced 14.5 points, six assists and four steals per game.

After dropping a stunning 48-47 loss to Ceres at the buzzer, East Union capped the regular season with five straight wins by 20-plus-point margins.

“I believe we have the best backcourt in the area,” Renke said. “Rachel always had the driving ability, the slashing ability; and that was complemented by Ashley’s outside shot. And both of them were equally committed to the defensive side of the game.”

Other area standouts named to the all-VOL first team were Manteca sophomore point guard Sharon Washington (13.5 ppg overall) and Sierra senior center Heather Scharmann (13.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg). Like Rose and McDaniel, Washington caught fire over the last half of league, pumping in 20.3 points per game.

Scharmann’s frontcourt mate, Ariel McIntyre (12.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg) made the second team, as did Weston Ranch sophomore point guard Timnesha Wilson (12.6 ppg, 4.1 apg, 4.1 spg). Wilson led the Cougars to the program’s first playoff appearance.

Both Wilson and McDaniel were also voted to the all-defensive team, as was Manteca forward Davina Bennett.
East Union freshman Shalane Jackson, Weston Ranch guard Courtney Duran, Weston Ranch forward Denell Fox and Bennett earned honorable mention.

Ceres’ Shawna Nunes was named Coach of the Year after leading the surprise Bulldogs to a 9-5 league finish for third place.

Trans Valley

Ripon had three players named to the all-TVL first team, and rival Ripon Christian had two.

The Indians (6-4, 12-14) are represented by senior wing Skye Dominguez (10.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 spg), sophomore guard Kendra Contente (6.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 spg) and junior post Lauren Feddersen (7.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg). Senior guard Jessica Blythe earned honorable mention.

Junior forward Kelsey Tillema was solid all around for Ripon Christian (4-6, 11-14), leading the way with 9.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. Senior point guard Kayla Evans (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg) joined Tillema on the first team.