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Weston Ranch’s Elijah Mobley named All-VOL MVP
All-VOL boys basketball
Weston Ranch guard Elijah Mobley is challenged in the air by Sierra’s Mitchell Van Zwaluwenburg in a Valley Oak League contest on Jan. 19. - photo by SEAN KAHLER
JONAMAR JACINTO
The Bulletin
Updated: Mar 11, 2022, 8:46 AM
Published: Mar 11, 2022, 8:45 AM

Weston Ranch’s boys basketball team conquered the Valley Oak League for the last time this past winter, as it heads to the San Joaquin Athletic Association next school year.

The Cougars finished 10-2 in league and 19-11 overall while reaching the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. They’ll make the move with their core group still intact, and it includes reigning MVP Elijah Mobley. The junior guard is one of four Weston Ranch players to make the All-Valley Oak League team, and they’re all returning under Coach of the Year Nicholas Podesta.

“Elijah grew so much as a young man and basketball player this season,” Podesta said. “He bought into his role from Day 1 and really made it his own. He was as productive a

All-VOL boys basketball
Manteca’s Justice Chase rises to the rim above Central Catholic defenders. - photo by SEAN KAHLER
player as you could find in the Section and was incredibly efficient. Elijah had a monster junior season, an All-State season, in my opinion.”

The numbers certainly support Podesta’s opinion.

Mobley finished as the fourth-leading scorer in the state and tied for most in the SJS with 732 points, according to MaxPreps, averaging 24.4 over 30 games. He threatened the program record for most points in a single game when he torched Kimball for 44 points in a 90-73 league win.

Mobley converted 57% of his field goals, 42% of his 3-pointers and 65% of his free throws. He also averaged 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

Junior guard Kristian Holmes also represents Weston Ranch on the All-VOL first team after averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals. Mobley’s twin brother, Elliot (13.6 points, 4.8 assists, 2.7 steals), was named to the second team, while sophomore Richard Banks made the all-defensive team.

Manteca wing Justice Chase earned spots on the first and defensive teams. He registered 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per league game. Noah Lyons (12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds) and Mehtaj Mehrok (6.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) are second-team selections. They led the Buffaloes (9-3 VOL, 20-12 overall) to a runner-up finish in the VOL. There were also semifinalists in the SJS Division III playoffs and advanced to the NorCal Regionals.

East Union (5-7, 17-12) made its first postseason appearance in nine years and was spearheaded by all-league first-team junior guard Dylan Lee, who averaged 20.6 points. Junior guard Alex Cuevas is on the all-defensive team.

Sierra (1-11, 9-16) also has a prolific scoring guard in Arvin Chohan. He scored 20.3 points per game and boasted a 77% free-throw percentage. Senior center Diego Montes made all-defense.

Manteca senior Ryan Inderbitzin and East Union senior Bryan Howe earned honorable mention.