FRESNO – The Sanger West Hornets came out of nowhere to produce a truly memorable basketball season that will never be forgotten. By the end of the season, the Hornets’ play on the court put them among the elite programs in the Central Section, and almost the state as well.
After losing 26 games three seasons ago, Sanger West burst out of their hive to win an astounding 30 games during the 2025-26 season. The Hornets (30-5/7-1) produced the best season in their program’s young history, and a share of the North Yosemite League title with McLane, a first as well. As a result of their powerful play on the court, Sanger West was honored with multiple NYL All-League honors.
Hornets head coach Mike Paredes and his staff bagged the NYL Coach of the Year honors for their work with the clipboards and whistles this past season.
Paredes and his coaches turned this young team into surprise Central Section and State contenders, slugging it out with NYL rival McLane for the Central Section Boys Basketball 2026 D IV Championship. And even though the Highlanders barely slipped by in a 61-57 contest, Sanger West earned a berth in the CIF D IV State Championships, eventually falling to Half Moon Bay in Round II action.
On the court, senior Justin Armbrister and junior Jordan Ruffin were often the focal points for the Hornets at both ends of the court. Equally explosive on offense and defense, Armbrister and Ruffin both shared NYL All-League First Team Honors.
According to information on Sanger West Boys Basketball’s Instagram account, Armbrister averaged 11.25 points per game, 8 steals per game and 3.5 rebounds per game. And Ruffin made his presence felt, averaging 9.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 1.4 blocks per game and 1.25 steals per game.
Sophomore guard Aedan Norton came up clutch for the Hornets on multiple occasions this past season. Norton’s sharp shooting and tough D, both inside and outside, earned him NYL Second Team All-League Honors. In his second season on the roster, Norton averaged 14.5 points per game, 3.6 steals per game and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Power forward Nate Hernandez’s hustle and versatility garnered NYL All-League Honorable Mentions. According to stats in MaxPreps, Hernandez averaged a steady 8.2 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 2.4 steals per game and 1.6 assists per game this past season.
Junior Kharon Parks often put on a scoring display that left The Hive buzzing on several occasions. Parks’s high-octane play was dominant enough to earn him the NYL’s Most Valuable Player Award for the 2025-26 season.
According to Sanger West Boys Basketball’s Instagram account, Parks averaged 13.6 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, 2.25 assists per game and 2.65 steals per game this season. And during this memorable season, Parks also zipped past the 1,000 career point mark.
