Notebook: Beyer’s McKim reflects on coaching success after milestone win No. 200
When Kyle McKim took over as head coach of Beyer High’s boys basketball program, his goal was to make playing Beyer basketball “cool.”
That was in 2014.
“(Previous head coach Brandon) Hellstrom and I spent years building the program slowly.” said McKim, who is in his 11th year as coach. “We wanted to make it a place in the city where kids could walk around, wear the Beyer uniform and be proud to play there.”
In 2025, only 11 programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section have more wins than Beyer over the past 10 seasons. Under McKim’s leadership, the Patriots averaged more than 19 wins per season, made the playoffs in all but one full season and have made it to two section title games.
Friday, Jan. 3, McKim reached milestone win No. 200 with a nonleague win over Downey. The Patriots are off to another great season, putting together an impressive 12-2 start through their first 14 games. They won two early tournaments and started Western Athletic Conference play with a 14-point win over Johansen on Jan. 6.
“It was fast, but it wasn’t fast,” McKim said of how it feels to win his 200th game. “I’m proud of our guys. It’s a testament to these guys. … We’ve had so much talent come through. We’re just very lucky.”
Of all of McKim’s wins, the 2016-17 Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals victory over Burbank stands out most. The Patriots beat the Titans at the University of the Pacific to advance to the section championship as a No. 6 seed in their second straight upset of that postseason run. After beating Patterson in the first round, McKim led the Patriots to a 52-51 win over No. 3 Rio Linda and a 63-56 win over the No. 2 Titans. They fell to top-seed Whitney in the section title game.
“On paper, we were a 20- to 30-point underdog,” McKim said of the game against Burbank. “If you looked at both teams on the floor, you would have thought we were about to get destroyed, but we came out and just played. We executed in a big environment. For them to respond on the biggest stage possible, that’s what it’s all about.”
A number of the players from that team were on hand Friday night to see McKim’s milestone victory. After the game, McKim, his assistant coaches and current and former varsity players posed for pictures and talked for a few minutes.
“They’re the ones that won the games,” McKim said. “I just helped them along with stuff.”
McKim won 24 games in his first season as head coach and followed it with 21-, 23-, 20- and 21-win seasons. The only time Beyer won fewer than 16 games under McKim’s leadership was during the COVID-shortened spring season. The Patriots went 8-6 overall in 14 games and went 7-3 in league play. The Patriots won 17 games in 2021-22, 18 games in 2022-23 and 19 games last season.
Oakdale pitcher to attend UOP
Oakdale senior Jaelyn Lee recently signed with the University of the Pacific, the school’s softball program announced Jan. 7 on X. Lee has played as a pitcher and infielder for the Mustangs during her varsity career but signed with the Tigers as a pitcher. During the 2023 and 2024 spring seasons, she has a 0.90 ERA and a perfect 3-0 record in 11 appearances. She pitched 46.2 total innings and allowed just eight total runs and seven walks while striking out 56 batters and allowing just one home run. Lee likely will be the Mustangs’ ace this spring and will look to help them repeat as Sac-Joaquin Section champions.
MCJ’s Stout to NAU
For the second season in a row, Pitman High graduate Joey Stout had multiple Division I football offers after standout production at MJC. The receiver was offered by Idaho State, Northern Arizona University, Louisiana Tech and Western Michigan University. After taking a few visits, Stout made his decision, posting Jan. 6 on X that he will attend Northern Arizona University. He finished his sophomore season with 54 catches for 975 yards, nine touchdowns and an average of 81.3 receiving yards per game, and all were team highs. He was named an All-Conference and All-State receiver. He also was a state champion for the Pirates’ track team last spring. Stout will join fellow former CCAL receiver Joseph Ramirez on the Lumberjacks’ roster. Ramirez, who wrapped up his senior season at Downey High in the fall, signed with NAU on the first day of the early signing period in December.
MJC’s Weaver to Hawaii
Luke Weaver spent the majority of his career as Modesto Junior College’s quarterback as one of the top JC signal callers in California. Recently, he was rewarded as such, signing to play Division I football at the University of Hawaii. Multiple times, Weaver was an All-Conference, All-State and All-American player during his three-year MJC career, bouncing back from an injury during his true freshman season that sidelined him for nearly the entire season. This fall, Weaver, an East Union High graduate, led the Pirates to a 9-3 overall record, a fourth straight Valley Conference title and an appearance in the Northern California championship. He completed 182 of 291 passes (62.5%) for 2,966 yards with 25 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Last season, he passed for over 2,300 yards with a 63.1% completion rate.
Former Big Valley lineman to play at SDSU
Former Big Valley Christian offensive lineman Mason Baker announced that he will play Division I football at San Diego State University after two seasons of JUCO football. Baker played the last two years at American River College and this season earned All-State honors as one of the top seven offensive linemen in California. He picked the Aztecs after receiving seven total Division I offers from schools including Sacramento State, Texas State, Houston Christian and South Alabama.
Downey football coach will coach in Lions Game
Downey High football head coach Jeremy Plaa and his staff were selected to head the South team in the 2025 Lions All-Star Game this summer. The game will be played Saturday, June 21, at Tracy High’s Wayne Schneider Stadium. The South is looking to continue its success after winning the 2024 All-Star contest on a game winner caught by Trace Hernandez. Plaa and his staff will coach against St. Mary’s Tony Franks and his staff, who were selected to head the North. Over the next few months, rosters will be selected and announced ahead of the summer showcase.
