Meet The Bee’s All-Metro Basketball Teams: Folsom’s Mafua, Granite Bay’s Mir headline list

Joe Davidson
·13 min read

They are both basketball lifers, and Kamryn Mafua and Yaqub Mir are just warming up.

Their best days are ahead, but what they they have left behind so far is an imprint on how to play the game the right way, how to produce, how to lead and how to have fun with all of it.

Mafua of the Folsom Bulldogs is The Bee’s 2022-23 All-Metro Girls Player of the Year, a 6-foot-2 junior forward who was the focal point of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s top-ranked team. Mir of the Granite Bay Grizzlies is The Bee’s Boys Player of the Year, a 6-3 guard who delivered as the driving force behind his team’s stirring upsets in Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF Northern California playoffs, when seasons matter most.

Both are friendly, optimistic, bright and proud of their teams and their own achievements. Both are superb students and the class of the powerhouse Sierra Foothill League as MVPs. Both are headed to college, Mir set to enroll this fall at UC San Diego and Mafua having recently committed to Cal with her Folsom senior season still to go.

Mafua and Mir both rate as all-time program greats. A three-year varsity player, Mafua this season averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds, scoring on post-up plays, fastbreaks and jumpers. She led Folsom to a 26-3 season, the best in program history and the first to win a section D-I championship. Folsom was Bee-ranked No. 1 all season.

A four-year starter, Mir averaged 25 points, five rebounds and three assists. He became the program’s all-time career scoring leader, slithering his way for buckets or firing away from mid to long range. His team went a modest 15-19, but teams knew they were in for a battle when Mir hit the floor. He scorched Del Oro for 38 points in an SFL game and was even more lethal in the postseason, where the Grizzlies sparkled.

Mir had six 3-pointers and 28 points to lead 13th-seeded Granite Bay past No. 5 Woodcreek in the section D-II playoffs, this coming a week after he led Granite Bay past No. 4 St. Mary’s of Stockton. In a section semifinal, Mir hit the game-winning jumper to upset top-seeded Rio Americano 58-56, putting the Grizzlies in a section final for the second consecutive season. Mir had 23 points, including five 3-pointers.

“It’s what he does,” Granite Bay coach Jason Sitterud said of his star. “He’s creative and he’s determined.”

Said Mir, “I grew up dreaming of making big shots and worked hard at it. I love this sport. I can’t live a day without it.”

As the No. 16 seed in the NorCal bracket, Mir led a 45-44 upset over top-seeded Clayton Valley Charter in Concord with 26 points before the Grizzlies fell to Whitney in the next round.

Granite Bay’s Yaqub Mir, The Sacramento Bee high school boys basketball player of the year, is photographed Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in the gym at Folsom High School.
Granite Bay’s Yaqub Mir, The Sacramento Bee high school boys basketball player of the year, is photographed Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in the gym at Folsom High School.

Mafua led Folsom to its second CIF NorCal Open Division berth, the best of the best, where the Bulldogs fell to powerhouse Salesian of Richmond, 76-70, in double overtime.

“Kamryn was great this season,” Folsom coach Lynn Wolking said. “She can do it all, and she’s not near her potential.”

Said Mafua, “Work ethic. This means a lot to me, but you can’t succeed without working. I love it.”

While Mir is the first in his family to play high school sports, Mafua comes from a long line of fine athletes, including her father, Ese Mafua, a Bee All-Metro lineman star for Grant in the early 1990s and a member of The Bee’s All-Decade Team. Mafua and Mir credited the support of their parents for their journey, including numerous rides to camps and college visits, with Mafua speaking for both of them at a Bee photo shoot.

“We wouldn’t be here without our parents,” she said.

Folsom’s Kamryn Mafua, The Sacramento Bee high school girls basketball player of the year, is photographed Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in the gym at Folsom High School.
Folsom’s Kamryn Mafua, The Sacramento Bee high school girls basketball player of the year, is photographed Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in the gym at Folsom High School.

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR

Rexanne Simpton of Colfax was the clear choice as Girls Coach of the Year after the 1994 Bee All-Metro guard from Nevada Union expertly guided the Falcons to their 25th league championship since 1983, their 12th section crown and a NorCal Division IV championship. Colfax was the only Sacramento-area team that played for a CIF State championship at Golden 1 Center in finishing with a program-best 34-3 record.

Colfax Falcons head coach Rexanne Simpton brings the CIF Division III high school girls basketball state final second place trophy to her girls after the team lost to the Los Osos Grizzlies in March at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Colfax Falcons head coach Rexanne Simpton brings the CIF Division III high school girls basketball state final second place trophy to her girls after the team lost to the Los Osos Grizzlies in March at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Others considered: Sydney Gatson, who led Whitney to its first section championship; Lynn Wolking, who led Folsom to its best season in school history; Shandyn Foster, who guided Christian Brothers to a school-record 26-2 regular season; and Kim Contreras, who led Valley Christian of Roseville to its first section D-V championship after winning titles in D-VI.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR

Matt Johnson of Sacramento Charter is The Bee’s winner for having worked wonders in his first season as a head coach at any level, and doing so at his alma mater. The Dragon got better by the week, finished 25-8 and won the section Division III championship, “a dream come true,” Johnson said.

Sacramento Dragons head coach Matt Johnson smiles at the home team support after their win against the Vanden Vikings in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III high school boys basketball final game in February at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Sacramento Dragons head coach Matt Johnson smiles at the home team support after their win against the Vanden Vikings in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III high school boys basketball final game in February at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Others considered: Nick French, who led Whitney to the section D-II championship and a deep run in the NorCal playoffs; Robert Fields, who led Monterey Trail to a share of its first league championship, doing so in the Metro; Mike Gill, who guided Laguna Creek to a share of the Metro League championship; Tim Kelley, who led Jesuit to a 12-0 showing in the Delta League and a 26-6 season; Mark Lee, who coached his final Placer team to a 25-7 season as he heads into retirement; Derek Swafford, who coached Fortune Early College to its first section finals in the last season of a championship-laden coaching career, including at Sacramento High; and Brad Gunter Jr., who led Valley Christian of Roseville to its first section championship, doing so in D-VI.

GIRLS LARGE SCHOOL POY

Mary Carter, Antelope, F, Sr.: A Cal Poly-bound forward, Carter was the focal point for the Titans, who went 26-5 overall and 12-0 n the Capital Valley Conference. She averaged 20.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.2 blocked shots.

GIRLS MEDIUM SCHOOL POY

Katie Leeth, Lincoln, F/C, Sr.: Perhaps the best player in program history, Leeth averaged 18.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 4.3 blocked shots for a team that went 27-5, won a share of the Foothill Valley League title and returned to the section Division III championship.

GIRLS SMALL SCHOOL POY

Gabriella Biitner and Maycee Heimann, Colfax, G, Sr.: The heart and soul of the storied Falcons, Biitner and Heimann did a lot of everything, including handling the ball and playing with poise down the stretch as the Falcons won the CIF NorCal Division IV championship. Heimann averaged 11.9 points. Biitner’s value went beyond her 9.6-point average, including leading the Falcons with 5.2 assists per game.

GIRLS SMALLEST SCHOOL POY

Christelle Williams, Valley Christian, G, Sr.: Quick and able to score in the paint or on drives or jumpers, Williams was the jet rocket that fueled the Lions of Roseville to their first section D-V championship and a 27-4 record. She averaged 15.6 points.

BOYS LARGE SCHOOL POY

Andrej Stojakovic, Jesuit, G, Sr.: Despite missing most of the Delta League season due to injury, the Stanford-bound star averaged 24 points and seven rebounds in facing double-teams and players who tried to get physical with him as the Marauders reached the section Division I finals, a loss to Modesto Christian. The McDonald’s All-American is one of the most dynamic players in program history.

BOYS MEDIUM SCHOOL POY

Luke Mason, Rio Americano, G, Sr.: A four-year starter and one of the top players in program history, Mason averaged 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds for a Raiders team that won the Capital Athletic League, earned the top seed in the section Division I playoffs and reached the NorCal playoffs, playing hurt and inspired.

SMALL SCHOOL POY

Joshua Brown and Amrin Mann, Marysville, G, Sr.: A dynamic 1-2 scoring punch as versatile team leaders, Brown and Mann powered the Indians to their first section championship game since 1989. Brown scored 17.8 points a game and Mann 18.6 for a team that went 29-4 overall and 14-0 in the Pioneer Valley League.

SMALLEST SCHOOL POY

Tyrece Rose, Fortune Early College, G, Sr.: A four-year starter and lead ball handler for the newer-school program in Sacramento, Rose led the Panthers to a school-best 21-9 record in averaging 17.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Fortune reached a section final and its first NorCal tournament.

▪ How the teams were selected: The Bee’s All-Metro teams were picked through personal observation, consultation with other area media and especially through coach nominations with emphasis on team playoff success. Players not on these lists were not nominated.

THE BEE’S 2022-23 ALL-METRO TEAMS

GIRLS

Player of the Year: Kamryn Mafua, Folsom, F, Jr.

Coach of the Year: Rexanne Simpton, Colfax

Large School Player of the Year: Mary Carter, Antelope, F, Sr.

Medium School: Katie Leeth, Lincoln, F, Sr.

Small School: Gabriella Biitner and Maycee Heimann, Colfax, G, Sr.

Smallest School: Christelle Williams, Valley Christian, G, Sr.

FIRST TEAM

Nina Cain, McClatchy, F, So.

Charlotte Climenhage, Folsom, F, Sr.

Jada Hunter, Christian Brothers, G, Sr.

Harper Peterson, Whitney, F, Jr.

Tamaria Rumph, McClatchy, G, Sr.

Haley Smith, Liberty Ranch, F, Fr.

SECOND TEAM

Kaia Foster, Christian Brothers, G, Jr.

Norret Lewis, McClatchy, G, So.

Sophia Mindermann, Folsom, G, So.

Ella Skrzyniaz, Vista del Lago, G, So.

Ella Uriarte, Folsom, G, Jr.

Liv Yergensen, Oak Ridge, F, So.

THIRD TEAM

Kendall Dykstra, Whitney, G, So.

Kaia Diederichs, Colfax, G, So.

Lakayla Hale, Monterey Trail, G, Sr.

Maya Hodge, Lincoln, G, Jr.

Bria McGahan, St. Francis, G, Jr.

Tessa Schouten, Davis, F, Jr.

Sophia Williams, Oak Ridge, G, So.

FOURTH TEAM

La’Ne Dunn, Sacramento, G, So.

Leilani Edinburgh, West Campus, G, Jr.

Audrey Harris, Faith Christian, G, Sr.

Juliette James, Colfax, C, So.

Michelle Rice, Antelope, F, Jr.

Sammy Schuler, Whitney, F, Jr.

FIFTH TEAM

Karisma Briggs, Marysville, F, Sr.

Olivia Gill, Pioneer, F, Jr.

Lauren Harris, Faith Christian, G, Fr.

Krissy Kelly, Bear River, G, Jr.

Isabel Tan, Cosumnes Oaks, G, Jr.

Sydney Teoh, St. Francis, G, So.

Honorable Mention: Zakiyyah Abdul, Fortune, Jr.; Addy Aldrich, Foresthill, Jr.; Isabella Azzolino, Antelope, Jr.; Ivy Babcock, Antelope, Sr.; Bryn Beaman, Sacramento Adventist, So.; Valerie Bisic, Bradshaw Christian, Sr.; Emily Bowman, Pleasant Grove, Jr.; Athena Brombaher, Wood, Sr.; Paris Brown, Monterey Trail, Sr.; Demi Boykin, Marysville, So.; Mariah Contreras, Valley Christian, Sr.; Jessica Crannell, Oak Ride, Jr.; Kiara Council, Monterey Trail, Sr.; Karine Dhaliwal, Yuba City, Sr.; Janet Donkor, Valley Christian, Fr.; Ava Edwards, Oak Ridge, So.; Sophia Felix, Liberty Ranch, Jr.; Emma Fisilau, Woodcreek, Jr.; Breahn Flood, Highlands, Fr.; Jamiah Fontenberry, Inderkum, So.; Aleyah Harmon, Christian Brothers, So.; Torrence Harter, Sutter, Sr.; Brynlie Headrick, Vacavillle, Sr.; Skylar Jordet, Liberty Ranch, Sr.; Morgan Kline, El Dorado, Sr.; McKenna Lechner, Foresthill, Sr.; Bizzie Lynch, Rio Americano, Sr.; Emma Lyons, Vista del Lago, Jr.; Lolana Madrid, Roseville, Sr.; Adelyn Maseda, Dixon, Fr.; Aliviyah McMurray, Laguna Creek, Sr.; Ryan Nair, Woodcreek, So.; Leah Nelson, Grant, Jr.; Jill Ngo, West Park, So.; Kat Noa, Grant, Sr.; Brooklyn Nordquist, Ponderosa, So.; Joy Omishakin, Christian Brothers, Fr.; Esabel Otsuji, West Campus, So.; Alana Schneider, El Dorado, So.; Elliott Schwartz, Adams Academy, Fr.; Kacie Shinmoto, Kennedy, So.; Monet Stallworth, Grant, Sr.; Bianca Slone, Rocklin, Fr.; Daisy Throckmorton, Capital Christian, Fr.; Jade Tupou, Folsom, So.; Jadyn Weaver, St. Francis, Sr.; Kaela Stancil-Williams, McClatchy, Jr.; Sadie Whaley, Forestlake Christian, Sr.; Ayanna Woods, Twelve Bridges, Jr.

2022-2023 ALL-METRO BOYS

Player of the Year: Yaqub Mir, Granite Bay, G, Sr.

Coach of the Year: Matt Johnson, Sacramento

Large School Player of the Year: Andrej Stojakovic, Jesuit, G, Sr.

Medium School: Luke Mason, Rio Americano, G, Sr.

Small School: Joshua Brown/Amrin Mann, Marysville, G, Sr.

Smallest School: Tyrece Rose, Fortune, G, Sr.

FIRST TEAM

Jalen Glenn, Inderkum, G, Sr.

Micah Johnson, Folsom, G, Sr.

Reid Jones, Jesuit, G, Sr.

Varick Lewis, Monterey Trail, G, Sr.

Kiku Parker, Grant, G, Sr.

Mike Wilson, Sacramento, G, Sr.

SECOND TEAM

Dylan Harms, Bella Vista, G, Sr.

Jadon Hurtado, Whitney, G, Sr.

Kevin Haupt, Jesuit, G, Jr.

Mason Mottashed, Union Mine, G, Sr.

Jayden Teat, Capital Christian, G, Sr.

Dante Walls, Laguna Creek, G, Sr.

THIRD TEAM

Garret Dutro, Placer, G, Sr.

Kendahl Hearne, Sacramento, G, Jr.

Miles Lake, Rio Americano, G, Sr.

Jacob Olson, Oak Ridge, G, Sr.

Mateen Rafiq, El Camino, G, Sr.

Gavin Sykes, Capital Christian, So.

FOURTH TEAM

Miko Bear, El Dorado, G, Sr.

Jermaine Haliburton, Inderkum, G, Sr.

Austin Ito, Woodcreek, G, Sr.

Sir Marius Jones, Sacramento, G, So.

Caden Pinnick, Del Oro, G, Jr.

Jaden Spears, Sheldon, G, So.

CJ Willenborg, Folsom, G, Jr.

FIFTH TEAM

Justin Ard, Folsom, G, Sr.

Braeden Beaman, Sac Adventist, G, Sr.

Kaleb Edwards, Oak Ridge, F, So.

Louis Griffin, Cordova, G, Sr.

Mark Lavrenov, Rocklin, F, So.

KJ Ramey, Laguna Creek, G, Jr.

Jaden Woodard, Sheldon, G, Jr.

Honorable Mention: Davis Abell, Granite Bay, Jr; Trevor Alfstad, Granite Bay, Sr.; Julian Alias, Antelope, Jr.; Josiah Andrews, Rocklin, Fr.; Shabol Barksdale, Sacramento, So.; Jagger Beck, Sutter, Jr.; Patrick Bingham, Golden Sierra, Jr.; Jordan Bobo, Grant, Sr.; Gabriel Braun, Lindhurst, Sr.; Kendrick Burks, Union Mine, Sr.; Jason Chavarria, Esparto, Sr.; Shine Od Chinzorig, Mira Loma, Jr.; Kanye Clark, Capital Christian, Sr.; Romello Bruhn, Woodland Christian, Fr.; Chase Clary, Valley Christian, Jr; Amari Davis, Sheldon, Jr.; Javin De Vera, Cordova, Sr.; Chris Donkor, Valley Christian, Sr.; Cole Epperson, Jesuit, Jr.; Nazere Fisher, Rosemont, Sr.; Ja’len Flenory, Laguna Creek, Jr.; Brandon Gibson, Monterey Trail, Jr.; Jason Gilchrist, Twelve Bridges, Jr.; Ian Glaspy, Jr., Valley Christian; Andre Gomez, Grant, Fr.; Brandon Haley, Burbank, Sr.; SirMister Harriel, Antelope, Fr.; Taye Hollins, Woodcreek, Sr.; Dominic Johnson, Center, So.; Kentrell Kelly, Monterey Trail, Jr.; Ahjani Lewis, Jesuit, Jr.; McCade Long, Granite Bay, Sr.; Max Manfredi, Ponderosa, Sr.; Paul Lewis, McClatchy, Sr.; Ben Manley, Placer, Jr.; Dylan Newberry, Rio Americano, Sr.; Eli Neuhaus, Sacramento Waldorf, Jr.; Beni Njomo, Lincoln, Sr.; Cabrayon Odom, Antelope, Sr.; Ethan Okelberry, Roseville, Sr.; Xavier Porter, Pleasant Grove, Sr.; Mitchell Rawlins, Folsom, Sr.; Jacob Rausch, Victory Christian, Sr.; Aiden Rollins, Franklin, Fr.; Jack Rosen, Union Mine, Sr.; Wyatt Rumfelt, Woodland Christian, Sr.; Matt Schroeder, Whtney, Sr.; Nathan Schnell, Vacaville, Sr.; Ady Serna, Sac Adventist, Sr.; Javi Sidhu, Del Campo, Sr.; Rohan Singh Sheemar, Inderkum, Sr.; Zach Smith, Bear River, Jr.; Ivan Soto, El Camino, Sr.; John Tofi, Sheldon, So; Jace Thompson, Rio Americano, So.; Owen Ubaldo, Jesuit, Sr.; Damarion Vann-Kelly, Monterey Trail, So.; Zach Villanuea, West Campus, Fr.; Ely Willis, Whitney, So.; Jacob Wright, Del Campo, Sr.; David Young, Folsom, Sr.