All-Desert Sky League basketball and soccer honors announced

Jose Quintero, Victorville Daily Press
·3 min read
Adelanto's Damian Espinoza shoots a penalty pick during a shootout with Sultana in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 playoffs on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.
Adelanto's Damian Espinoza shoots a penalty pick during a shootout with Sultana in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 playoffs on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

The Desert Sky League recently announced the Player of the Year awards for the basketball and soccer seasons.

Adelanto’s Damien Espinoza is one of three athletes from the school to earn a player of the year award.

Espinoza highlights the All-DSL boys soccer list, as he was named the Player of the Year after scoring 26 goals with eight assists in 26 games during his senior season. He scored seven goals with four assists in six league games, helping the Saints to a first-place finish in the standings.

After a spectacular junior season, Victor Valley’s Emmanuel Lopez took the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Lopez recorded five shutouts in eight DSL games while allowing five goals.

Victor Valley goalkeeper Emmanuel Lopez blocked a penalty kick during the shootout against Temescal Canyon on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.
Victor Valley goalkeeper Emmanuel Lopez blocked a penalty kick during the shootout against Temescal Canyon on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

Lopez helped lead the way for Victor Valley on a memorable postseason run that ended with two losses in championship games.

Highlighting the All-DSL girls soccer list, Samantha Grantham earned the Player of the Year award, while Adelanto’s Breanna Torres took the Goalkeeper of the Year honor.

Granite Hills' Samantha Grantham dribbles the ball during a recent game at the school.
Granite Hills' Samantha Grantham dribbles the ball during a recent game at the school.

Grantham wrapped up a stellar career at Granite Hills by scoring 31 goals with 12 assists during her senior year. In eight league games, Grantham scored 18 goals and six assists to lead Granite Hills to the DSL title.

Victor Valley’s Anissa Spurlock earned the league’s girls basketball Player of the Year award after helping her squad to a second-place finish in the standings.

Spurlock averaged 18.5 points per game during her junior year for the Jackrabbits.

Adelanto’s Jordan Malveaux is the third athlete from Adelanto to receive a top honor during the winter season. A senior, Malveaux took the boys basketball Player of the Year award after leading the way to the DSL title.

Adelanto’s Jordan Malveaux drives the lane while guarded by Silverado’s Jarmarri Tharpe on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Adelanto won 53-48.
Adelanto’s Jordan Malveaux drives the lane while guarded by Silverado’s Jarmarri Tharpe on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Adelanto won 53-48.

All-Desert Sky League Boys Soccer

Player of the Year: Damian Espinoza, Adelanto

Goalkeeper of the Year: Emmanuel Lopez, Victor Valley

First Team

David Barajas, Humberto Gonzalez, Andrew Lopez, Fernando Orozco (Adelanto); Thane Harding, Estiban Hernandez, Cesar Sainz, Erick Valdovinos (Granite Hills); Axell Pichardo, Gabriel Tafoya (Silverado); Jonathan Guzman, Francisco Luna, Josiah Paez, Armando Rodriguez (Victor Valley)

Second Team

Jesus Bobadilla, Anthony Razo, Cristhian Villalobos (Adelanto); Orlando Benavidez, Marco Hernandez, Drake Stewart (Barstow); Abel Benitez, Zaine Rocca, Nathaniel Rodriguez (Granite Hills); Kevin Barragan, Isiah Molina (Silverado); Dominic Castillo, Alex Lopez, Dante Sosa (Victor Valley)

All-Desert Sky League Girls Soccer

Player of the Year: Samantha Grantham, Granite Hills

Goalkeeper of the Year: Brianna Torres, Adelanto

First Team

Destiny Chavez, Giselle Perez, Julianna Perez (Adelanto); Madalynn Ayala, Caliana Chaco, Olivia Marin, Amaya Villegas (Barstow); Julia Alvarado, Makenzie Bohn, Analise Castel, Charlotte Hele, Alondra Macias, Sophia Toranzo (Granite Hills); Saydee Gardner, Citlaly Rivera, Amber Saldana (Victor Valley)

Second Team

Kassandra De Santiago, Mya Wilson (Adelanto); Chloe Bledsoe, Leialli Garcia (Barstow); Kendra Heflin, Victoria Villegas (Granite Hills); Monique Alvarez, Arianna Solis (Silverado); Brittney Garcia, Yaitzelle Torres (Victor Valley)

All-Desert Sky League Girls Basketball

Player of the Year: Anissa Spurlock, Victor Valley

First Team

Heavenly Alexander, Nina Lacy (Adelanto); Nyonna Russell (Barstow); Gregree McClendon, Belinda Rincon, Elizabeth Udeze (Silverado); Valerie Garcia, Shayla Johnson (Victor Valley)

Second Team

Sara Aguayo (Adelanto); Kristianna Quijote (Barstow); Amanda Grove (Granite Hills); Bella Rincon (Silverado); Eris Robert (Victor Valley)

All-Desert Sky League Boys Basketball

Player of the Year: Jordan Malveaux, Adelanto

First Team

Kenyon Crittenden, Izaiah Johnson, Joshua Mayers (Adelanto); Jeremiah Velasquez-Hobbs (Barstow); Jayden Manning, Kevin Udeze, David Watson (Silverado); Jeremiah Weaver (Victor Valley)

Second Team

Keith Reynolds (Adelanto); Donnie Perryman (Barstow); Jayden Stroup (Granite Hills); Jamari Tharpe (Silverado); Jayden Richards (Victor Valley)

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: All-Desert Sky League basketball and soccer honors announced