Notebook: Turlock’s Handy one of nation’s top sophomore setters

Julia Handy has been named one of the top sophomores in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, based solely on her play at Turlock High School.

The 5-foot-8 setter was named to the Soph 79 and was the only Stanislaus District player to make that list. Turlock’s Jadyn Tubbs, Pitman’s Whitney Barnes and Sonora’s Riley Patterson were honorable mention.

Handy, who plays club volleyball for Rage and was named a tournament MVP at the 2015 Junior Nationals, was a team captain for the Bulldogs, who shared the Central California Conference championship with crosstown rival Pitman.

Turlock snapped the Pride’s 58-match league winning streak with a 3-1 victory Nov. 2. Handy, a first-team all-conference selection and CCC Setter of the Year, had 48 assists in the stunning win.

“Julia is without a doubt one of the best setters in the state,” Turlock coach Amber Castillon told PrepVolleyball.com. “She leads with confidence and is loved by her teammates. She can make a play out of just about any pass.”

Handy is described by PrepVolleyball.com as “a strong athlete with great tenacity.” She was sixth in the state – and first among sophomores – with 1,082 assists, 108 kills and 56 aces.

Denair’s Starks MVP of Southern League – Denair’s Isaac Starks is the boys basketball MVP in a Southern League dominated by Mariposa.

Starks was one of the few bright spots on a Coyotes team that finished 10-16 overall and 4-8 in the Southern League. Starks, a 5-11 shooting guard, led the league in scoring with a 24.0-point average, ninth best in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and scored 20 or more points in 21 games. Only once was Starks held below 10 points.

Mariposa was one of the gold standards for small-school teams in the section. The Grizzlies ripped through league at 12-0, earning three first-team selections: Dalton and Noah Rockwood and Brad Chambers. Mariposa’s Bob Jaekle was named Coach of the Year.

Mariposa earned the school’s first section championship, stunning Brookside Christian with a tying three-pointer at the end of regulation and capturing the Division V banner with a 79-75 overtime victory.

Rounding out the all-Southern League first-team selections were Luis Parra of Orestimba, Chance Browning of Delhi and J.D. Laupua of Gustine.

Mariposa players earn SL awards – Kirsten Dubberke’s versatility has been rewarded by Southern League girls basketball coaches. The Mariposa junior was named the league MVP after leading the Grizzlies to a share of the title and ranking among the league leaders in three statistical categories.

Dubberke was third in scoring (14.7) and rebounds (9.1) and second in steals (4.5).

Mariposa’s Trace DeSandres shared Coach of the Year honors with Orestimba’s Scott Felber. The Grizzlies and Warriors tied for first place at 11-1.

Mariposa had two other first-team selections: Laurynn Leonard and Milea Appling. Orestimba landed a league-high three first-team picks: Payton Church, the league’s leading scorer at 16.0 points per game, Mayela Lopez and Susie Gutierrez.

Waterford’s Alyssa Silva rounded out the first team. The sophomore led the league in steals (6.9) and guided the Wildcats to their first section tournament appearance.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Notebook: Turlock’s Handy one of nation’s top sophomore setters."