Chico Sportsperson of the Year candidates announced for annual banquet

CHICO The Chico Sports Hall of Fame and Senior Athletes Banquet is just three weeks away, and the Enterprise-Record is excited to announce this years three candidates for Chico Sportsperson of the Year.They are Chico State mens basketball player Jojo Murphy, Pleasant Valley High School girls basketball player AJ Gambol and Chico High School wrestler Jeovany Navarrete.Murphy, a junior, led the Wildcats to a 24-7 season and 19-3 record in conference play, and also led the Wildcats in several categories.

His team-high 1,050 minutes played made him the first Wildcat to eclipse 1,000+ minutes since Jalen McFerren in 2016-17.

He had a team-high 20.7 points per game, a team-high 116 assists, led the team in 3-pointers made (73) and 3-point percentage (38.6%), was second in steals (44) and third in rebounds (4.7 per game).Murphy was also the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year, the Division II CCA West Region Player of the Year, a member of the CCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, and received National Association of Basketball Coaches All-American honors.Chico State guard Jojo Murphy (5) looks for a pass while being double teamed by Cal State San Bernardino defenders Jordan Jones (6) and Fallou Cisse (45) in the CCAA Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 7, 2025 in San Marcos, California.

(Greg Siller/Contributed)Pleasant Valleys Gambol is the second nominee.

Gambol, who graduates in June and will be attending Salt Lake Community College to play basketball, was a key part of the Vikings success on the basketball court the past four seasons.

She leaves the Vikings program as the all-time leading scorer in Pleasant Valley girls basketball history with 2,176 points, the first Viking to eclipse 2,000 points.Gambol led the Vikings to a 25-5 record and a fourth straight Northern Section title.

She averaged 20.6 points per game, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals her senior season, and increased her scoring average each season throughout her four-year varsity career.

Gambol received her fourth straight All Section First Team selection and second straight Player of the Year honor, and was named Eastern Athletic League MVP for a third straight season.Pleasant Valleys AJ Gambol (25) goes up for a layup as Chicos Corrina Stephens (10) attempts to block the shot on Friday, Jan.

17, 2025 at The Pit in Chico, California.

(Ben Mota/All Axis Sports)The final nominee is Chico Highs Navarrete.

Navarrete won his fourth straight Masters and Northern Section wrestling championship in his third different weight class, en route to a top-32 finish in the CIF state tournament at 128 pounds.

He won the Masters title his freshman season at 108 pounds, his sophomore and junior seasons at 122 pounds, and his senior at 128 pounds.

After attending Oroville High School his freshman season, Navarrete went 91-29 in his next three seasons at Chico High School and 124-40 in his four-year high school career.Chicos Jeo Navarrete celebrates after winning his fourth title at the Northern Section Masters Championships on Saturday, Feb.

22, 2025 at Las Plumas High School in Oroville, CA.

(Ben Mota/All Axis Sports)Tickets for the 50th Chico Sports Hall of Fame and Senior Athletes Banquet are on sale through Friday, May 9.The banquet will be held Tuesday, May 13, with doors opening at 6 p.m.

and dinner and ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m.Tickets are be available at the Chico Enterprise-Record office, located at 3881 Benatar Way, Suite G, in Chico.

Office hours are Monday from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m.

to 3 p.m.; and Friday from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

Tickets are $65 and include dinner.Tickets are for open seating at the event.

If groups of eight would like to reserve a table, the Enterprise-Record can do so.

All tickets for reserved tables must be purchased together.This years Hall of Fame class includes Butte College alumnus Larry Allen, longtime Butte College athletic trainer Fran Babich, Chico High alumna and former USA Olympic bobsledder Emily Azevedo, and former Chico High teacher/coach and USA Olympic gold medalist Jack Yerman.Senior athletes will also be honored from area high schools including Chico High School, Pleasant Valley, Paradise, CORE Butte, Durham, Oroville, Las Plumas, Orland, Hamilton, Gridley, Willows, Biggs and Corning.

Senior athletes from Chico State, along with sophomores from Butte College will also be honored.

The night will be capped with the presentation of the Chico Enterprise-Record Sportsperson of the Year.The Senior Athletes of the Year will be announced Wednesday.If there are any issues with purchasing tickets during the above hours, reach out to Enterprise-Record sports reporter Justin Couchot at [email protected] for alternative options..

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