2011-12 Warrior Basketball
Three Warriors were selected to the 2012 All-SSL 1st team including, from left to right, seniors Justin Hedberg, Cory Lange, and Darren Smith.
The Warriors captured an SSL championship in their final season in the South Sequoia League. Photo's by The Tehachapi News.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on March 27, 2012 Warriors Collect All-League Recognition
The Warriors made sure that their final season in the South Sequoia League was a memorable one, finishing with the outright league championship to mark their sixth overall in 20 seasons.
Tehachapi (18-9; 9-1 SSL) showcased some of the premier talent in the valley, and that distinction did not go unrecognized in the league first, second and honorable mention team voting.
Taking first team honors was Cory Lange, Justin Hedberg and Darren Smith, with Lange also selected as the SSL's back-to-back most valuable player and first team All-Area. Lange was also an ESPN Western Region and Cal-Hi Sports Athlete of the week, the first-ever distinction for a Tehachapi athlete.
Second team honors went to Luke Henderson, who closed out his senior year with 133 points and second on the team with 49 assists and 41 steals.
Honorable mention went to senior guard Gabe Saavedra, who had 52 rebounds, 25 assists and 32 steals on the year, and Tyler Beardsley, who closed out his senior year with 109 points and 114 rebounds.
Below is a breakdown of all first team honorees for the Warriors.
Cory Lange -- Senior
Carrying the weight of a school and town on his shoulders, the basketball phenom surpassed all expectations through his leadership and unmatched jaw-dropping talent. Lange finished a storied career at Tehachapi with 1,100 points, the most career points in school history, along with 360 rebounds, 249 assists, 177 steals and 46 blocked shots. The three time All-SSL first team player will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in school history.
Justin Hedberg -- Senior
A force in Tehachapi's frontcourt, Hedberg closed out his tenure as a Warrior with a team leading 208 rebounds, finishing a two year stint with 585 points and 214 rebounds. Hedberg is a two-time All-SSL first team selection for Tehachapi.
Darren Smith -- Senior
The senior head a breakout season, finishing third on the team in points (202) and rebounds (131) on the year. Smith was an integral part of the Warriors offensive prowess in the paint, continuously leading the team in offensive rebounds while also doubling as a reliable scorer in key SSL contests. The first team selection is Smith's first for Mountain Basketball.
