Paloma Valley High Standouts Honored as Athletes of Week

Back row, from left: Jose Sandoval, Ashlynn Cota, Izaiah Cameron. Front row: Bailey Calhoun, Adam Andrade.

Five Paloma Valley High School athletes who just completed their winter sports seasons have been honored for their recent accomplishments with Athlete of the Week awards from Menifee 24/7.

Junior Izaiah Cameron was a standout player for the boys basketball team, leading the way from his guard and forward position. He made the game-winning shot in a 57-55 victory over Temescal Canyon earlier this month and helped the Wildcats make the CIF playoffs, where they lost in the first round.

"I got the ball from Alex Patterson and just saw a wide-open lane," Cameron said about the overtime win at Temescal Canyon. "I drove in and laid it up for the win.

"We did good this year, but sometimes we were weren't consistent enough. To be more of a leader next year, I just need to work hard on my game over summer."

Junior center midfielder Bailey Calhoun was one of the most consistent players on the girls soccer team, which finished the season with an impressive record of 16-3-6. The Wildcats were undefeated in Sunbelt League play and made it to the second round of the CIF playoffs before losing 1-0 to Sage Hill.

"It's chemistry," Calhoun said about the key to the team's success. "A lot of it is how we bond off the field. It translates onto the field. And everybody works really hard."

Calhoun's coach, Marie Dillon, had high praise for her star player.

"Bailey is an important part of our attack and is considered one of our top playmakers," she said. "She is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached."

Senior Ashlynn Cota was the leading scorer on the girls basketball team with an average of 14.3 points per game. She played three years on the varsity team and "has an amazing ability to shoot," said her coach, Romeo Galbreath.

Cota's season ended last week in a 69-62 loss to Chino in the playoffs, but she looks forward to a college career. She has already been accepted by Cal State East Bay and is also considering Whittier College.

"I feel like we improved from last season," she said. "We had the same exact team. I feel like we could've had it in the playoffs, but it just didn't work out."

Wrestler Adam Andrade recently won the Sunbelt League championship at 120 pounds, beating highly regarded Tod Stafford of Temescal Canyon to reach the finals, where he won with a pin. He didn't qualify for this weekend's Masters Meet, however, because he didn't make weight at the CIF finals.

"It's heartbreaking because of all the hard work over the year," said the junior. "Tod Stafford went to Masters. Knowing I beat him shows me I could've gone to Masters. I just see this as an experience to use in doing better next year."

Senior captain Jose Sandoval missed six games with a concussion but fought back to be a key player for the boys soccer team. He scored a goal in each of the last four games he played.

"Jose has been a leader on and off the field, always playing to the highest standards of excellence, sportsmanship and leadership," said his coach, Ramon Benz.