Fresno-area high school roundup: Reedley player to play last game before undergoing chemo

Reedley High coach Tony Gates said senior Malachi Rios will play in his last high school football game on Friday.

Rios will undergo chemotherapy treatment beginning Monday after doctors found tumors in his lungs.

“He’s as strong as he can be,” Gates said. “He lives with us and he had no restrictions when they took his port out in March. He’s got all of his strength back and he practices like there’s no issues. He’s a vital part of our team.”

Rios scored two touchdowns in the season-opening loss to Firebaugh. He’ll look to continue that when the Pirates host Roosevelt on Friday.

Rios fought cancer last December and was cleared in the spring before doctors later discovered the tumors.

Family said in a GoFundMe post that Rios will have a chemo port on Monday.

Gates said Rios talked to the team after the game against Firebaugh and shared a message.

“He addressed them with words and said ‘hey guys, I have one more week with you guys and I want to give it my all and I want you guys to give it your all.’

“Got real emotional after the game. We prayed over him and that was super emotional. The message we need to give Malachi is you’re still here and you’re going to fight this.

“He’s a vital part of our team and that is what Malachi is to me, and that’s the way he wants to be treated.”

Cross country: Buchanan girls look strong again

The defending state girls cross country Buchanan team is ready to start the season.

And they’re loaded as ever under Bears coach Brian Weaver.

Buchanan’s first meet is set for Sept. 9 at the Kingsburg Invitational.

Highlighting Buchanan’s lineup of runners is junior Elle Lomeli, who is one of the state top distance runners and has range for the 800m to 5-kilometers.

Lomeli is healthy after suffering a knee sprain last season. She fell in the CIF state meet at Woodward Park and finished 158th.

Joining Lomeli this season is Sierra Cornett, who placed fifth in the state meet

Tayler Torosian finished ninth, and Kynzlee Buckley is back, too, after finishing 11th in the state meet.

Weaver also said Riley Burgess looks to make an impact in her final year.

Avery Hutchison, Molly Sundgren and Stefani Sesock round out the Bears squad. Sesock had an injury last season and was a member of the 2021 state team.

On the boys side, Buchanan lists its runners as: Luke Sanders, Ryan Kunkel, Jansen Pritsky, Deaglan Givan and Maxx Jauregui.

Volleyball: Rankings, team plays in Las Vegas

Clovis West and Liberty-Bakersfield will meet in a rematch from the Central Section Division I championship Thursday.

But first, the Golden Eagles had a match against at No. 6 Central Valley Christian on Tuesday.

It was a big test for Clovis West that they cannot overlook looking ahead to the rematch with the Patriots.

The Golden Eagles’ season got going against Aug. 18 in a win over San Luis Obispo.

No. 4 Buchanan played in the Las Vegas Invitational to start its season and went 6-2 against teams from Nevada and Utah.

Here’s the rest of The Bee’s Top 10 rankings

1. Liberty-Bakersfield (1-0)

2. Clovis West (1-0)

3. Clovis North (0-0)

4. Buchanan (6-2)

5. Clovis East (3-3)

6. Central Valley Christian (0-1)

7. Redwood (0-0)

8. San Luis Obispo (3-1)

9. Centennial (2-0)

10. Sanger (0-0)

Milestone achieved

Central Section historian Bob Barnett noted Central Valley Christian Mason Hughes reached 100 wins.

The Cavaliers defeated Ripon Christian 63-41 to give Hughes the milestone win.

Barnett said Hughes became the 48th coach to reach 100 wins in the section.