Warrior Basketball
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on March 24, 2009 Warrior All-League Selections Announced
For their strong contributions this season, nine Warriors were selected by the all-league committee in the first, second and honorable mention categories.
Collecting honorable mention honors were Derek Lange and Matt Bloom, who were both integral members of Tehachapi’s 15-10 season. Lange finished the year with 104 points, 26 assists, and the second best mark in rebounds with 80. Bloom had 30 rebounds on the year and five total steals.
Taking second team nods for the Warriors were Justin Hansen and Kurtis Knudson, with Hansen finishing the year with 100 points and 55 rebounds, and Knudson, 113 points and 25 assists.
For the Lady Warriors, senior standouts Michelle Durr and Ashley Asoau capped a strong season for Tehachapi High with impressive numbers. Durr finished with 125 points, 56 rebounds, 34 assists and 31 steals, while Asoau had a team leading 235 points, 111 rebounds and 53 steals. For their efforts, both players have been selected to play in the US Army-Bakersfield Jam All Star game.
Below is a breakdown of Tehachapi’s first team honorees.
JJ Balkar
One of Tehachapi’s most talented multi-sport athletes closed his basketball season with 27 assists, 19 steals, and a team second-best 180 points. Balkar was a deadly sharpshooter for the Warriors this season, tying for the team lead in three-point field goals with 22, while also providing court leadership at point in many offensive series on the year. For his efforts, Bakar has been selected to represent Tehachapi in the US Army-Bakersfield Jam All star game this Sunday at Rabobank Arena – Bakersfield.
Bert Hall
The heart beat of this past season’s Warrior team, Hall provided a brilliant senior campaign that caught the attention of scouts across the nation. The talented senior finished his year with a team leading 311 points, 247 rebounds, 30 steals and 29 assists, logging in the team lead in all categories. Hall will join Balkar as a Tehachapi representative in the US Army-Bakersfield Jam All star game this Sunday at Rabobank Arena – Bakersfield.
Persephonie Devereaux
Considered to be one of the most dominating front court players in the SSL, Devereaux was a rebounding machine for Tehachapi with a team leading 232 on the year. The talented junior coupled her strong board clean-up effort with 43 steals and 149 points in the 2008-2008 season. Devereaux will be looked upon for a dominant fixture in the paint again next year, where she is expected to provide senior leadership to a league- and section-contending basketball squad.
