Featuring a Fresno Christian star, a relentless defender at Clovis North, a hungry lineman at San Joaquin Memorial and a stellar student athlete at Edison High.
The coronavirus has forced a break in sports, but the following rising stars don’t plan on slowing down. These student-athletes, who are still finding ways to stay in shape, will be ready to go when it’s safe to play sports again.
Orion Tomlinson
With Orion Tomlinson stepping up this past season, the Fresno Christian boys basketball team reached its first Valley Championship since 2012. Nothing But Net basketball magazine ranked Tomlinson as one of the top point guards in the state after his stellar season.
“Very underrated point, averaged 14.5 points, and 3.8 assists per game this past season,” the magazine stated. “Excellent student, teamed with 2022 #39 Tyus Parrish-Tillman to lead Fresno Christian to CIF-Central Section Division V title.”
In 2019, Tomlinson and his Fresno Christian teammate, Tyus Parrish Tillman, played with local club Basketball 24-7. The team placed third in the Under 15 AAU Basketball National Championships in Orlando, FL.
In 2018, Tomlinson represented the West Coast at USA Basketball US OPEN, where he scored 39 points in a game.
After his breakout sophomore season, the young star is hungry for a lot more success.
Fresno Christian Head Boys Basketball Coach Jon Penberthy is thrilled to have Tomlinson on his team.
“This kid has done nothing but work on his game and his body over the corona-break! He’s going to be a problem this season!” Penberthy tweeted.
Nicole Fernandez
Nicole Fernandez is another one of the student-athletes who continues to work hard during the break. The Clovis North defender was a major part of the backline which secured the Broncos’ run to the Valley Championship this past season. Fernandez has also contributed with a few goals during her high school journey, including a laser from long range.
The futboler, who also plays for Central California Soccer Alliance, was nominated for NorCal Premier “Goal of the Month” after finding the back of the net with a shot from outside the box.
Judging by the workout videos posted to social media, this Clovis North Bronco will be ready to take her game to a new level when soccer season restarts.
Mitchell Leppke
Mitchell Leppke is looking forward to his senior season at San Joaquin Memorial after transferring from El Diamante High School, where he recorded 10 sacks as a defensive end in his junior year.
The linebacker, who is determined to play college ball, has been busy working with athletes and trainers.
“Just want to be the best I can be and play college ball,” he said.
Leppke attended the Giant Skillz Camp in Utah last month and took part in competitions against elite high School linemen from various western states. One lineman who matched up against Leppke was Josh Conerly. According to Sports Illustrated, Conerly is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound incoming junior from Seattle who is considered one of the nation’s top offensive tackle prospects for the class of 2022.
Leppke relished the chance to matchup against Conerly and the rest of the top prospects.
Edgar Cabrera
Edgar Cabrera has proven himself as a winner on and off the field. The Edison High School football standout was already taking engineering classes at Fresno City College while he was in the 11th grade. Most recently, he was selected as a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
Cabrera was named Edison’s Varsity MVP last season. In June, he received his first football offer when Whittier College came calling.
The soon-to-be senior was already a standout student-athlete before high school. At Computech Middle School, Cabrera was known as a hard-working football player and an “animal” on the wrestling mat. He also held a GPA of 3.57. Cabrera earned the “Pursuing Victory with Honor” award at Computech because of his all-around excellence.
