It was another season in which the Del Oro varsity boys basketball team fought its way into the playoffs, only to experience an early exit.
But just like last season, in which two Suns were selected to play in the Kern High School District All-Star game, Del Oro is again sending a pair of representatives to the annual showcase of the best basketball players in Kern County.
Seniors Keenan Starling and Mark Villa were named to the All-Star game on March 12, a few days after the Suns fell short in the second round of the playoffs against Summit Charter Collegiate Academy. They will play for “The Town All Stars,” led by Suns head coach Ramon Cardenas and assistant coach Rick Pablo.
“It’s a tremendous honor for both of them. They came to practices on the weekends. And practice outside of school,” Cardenas said. “It’s rewarding as a coach to see your players achieve that because you see the work that they put in.”
The boys’ KHSD All-Star game will be played at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at North High School. The girls All-Star game is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at GoFan.co; students with an ASB sticker get in free.
“I feel really thankful that I get to experience playing in an All-Star game,” Starling said. “I feel pretty good about it.”
This season, Starling led the Suns in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Villa led the team in blocks and followed Starling in the other four categories.
“I’m glad I got noticed enough to be nominated to play in the All-Star game.” Villa said. “My skill level is being recognized.”
In addition to being selected to the All-Star game, Starling and Villa were also named to the SYHL All-League first team. Starling was honored as co-Most Valuable Player along with Francisco Cruz from Mira Monte.
“For me to be at the top, co-MVP, it’s a blessing,” Starling said.
Starling and Villa were the keys to the Suns’ success this season, which came to an abrupt conclusion at home against Summit Charter with a 68-64 loss on Feb. 17.
Overall, the Suns compiled a 17-11 record. In the South Yosemite Horizon League, Del Oro finished with a 7-1 record – the only loss coming against Mira Monte on Jan. 15’s senior night.
That 7-1 record earned the Suns their second consecutive SYHL title.
“We played as hard as we could,” Villa said. “We still worked our (expletive) off, day in and day out.”
Starling and Villa had big games on senior night. According to MaxPreps, Starling finished the game with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for his first career triple double. Villa finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
