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Aaron Gordon has been on a tear once again.

The former Archbishop Mitty boys basketball superstar has stood out with the Denver Nuggets before, including in the last NBA postseason, but Gordon has taken things to another level to start this season.

In a recent homecoming game against the Warriors, he reset his career high with a 50-point night, connecting on an astounding 10 of 11 3-pointers. Then on Saturday against Phoenix, he evoked memories of his standout Slam Dunk contest performances with an alley-oop 360 dunk.

Blending his exceptional athleticism and newfound shooting touch has yielded a complete player the likes of which has impressed longtime Mitty coach Tim Kennedy. But Kennedy has believed in Gordon from the beginning, and he isn’t surprised to see the fruits of Gordon’s labor given the exceptional work ethic he pairs with his innate gifts.

“I knew right away that he was having a night, because I started getting 20 texts saying, ‘Hey, your guy’s going off,’” Kennedy said. “He’s 5-5, 7-7, I just kept getting these texts. And then I had to flip it on there while I’m at my daughter’s soccer practice. So it was cool.”

Kennedy was on the ground when Gordon wowed with high-flying exploits but struggled with his jumper. Unlocking that latent aspect of his game has now made him extremely challenging to defend, especially on a team that also features three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

“It’s nothing that’s unexpected, just knowing how he was in high school,” Kennedy said. “His shot wasn’t pretty, but he was in the gym working. He was a worker, and he loved hoops, and he’s a gym rat, so it’s no shock that he’s gotten better. He’s so mentally strong that he’s able to absorb everything and just keep getting better, and nothing fazes him. And then he’s the ultimate teammate. So he’s got everything working in his favor.”

Kennedy credited Gordon with setting the standard early in his tenure at Mitty. It’s a bar that Gordon keeps raising.

Early in the season, he’s on pace to set career highs in several statistical categories, including points per game (21.3, which would be his first time over 20), 3-point percentage (a whopping 52.2%), overall field-goal percentage (57.4%) and effective field-goal percentage (70.5%, his previous high is 60.7%, set last year).

“I get excited talking about it, because it brings me back,” Kennedy said. “It was exciting to be around him. Now, you’re seeing all that work that’s paying off. And he keeps outdoing himself.”

SRV: CAL FOOTBALL COACH’S FRESHMAN DAUGHTER MAKING IMPRESSION

Athletic talent often runs in the family.

So it is at San Ramon Valley, where Wolves freshman Fia So’oto, the daughter of Cal co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Vic So’oto – a former NFL linebacker – is having a stellar debut volleyball season.

So’oto is a leading hitter on SRV’s varsity team, ranking third in overall kills (176) and second in kills per set (2.4).

“One of my favorite things this year is seeing our opponents react when our team and fans yell, ‘She’s a freshman!’” SRV coach Brian Fujinaga said. “She is such a dynamic and physical player and when she connects on a good set, it’s really hard to believe that she’s only a freshman. She has adjusted quickly and very well to the varsity game, and it really feels like she’s been on the team for the past two years.”

With such a strong first season to build on, Fujinaga is looking forward to seeing So’oto’s growth over the next three years. For a freshman who’s already 6 feet tall, the sky’s the limit.

“We’re thrilled to have her in our program, and we’re incredibly excited to see how she develops and continues to make an impact,” Fujinaga said.

ST. FRANCIS: LANCERS ANNOUNCE LATEST HALL OF FAMERS

St. Francis honored its newest Hall of Famers last Friday, recognizing the latest class of eight Lancers in the annals of school history during a ceremony held on campus in the Mountain View private school’s Welcome Center Dining Commons.

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The St. Francis Hall of Fame honors graduates who demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement, leadership and character during their time at St. Francis, as well as those who achieved notable success in their sport at the collegiate, amateur or professional level, the school said in a release.

This year’s inductees are Eric Chaves (class of 2001, all-around); current athletic director Matt Maguire (class of 1998, all-around); Mike Zirelli (1995, baseball); Kristi Candau (2000, soccer); Kelly Corbett (2001, volleyball); Niki Hartley (1998, volleyball); Mike Mitchell (special category) and Patty Tennant (special category).

“It was an honor to welcome our 2025 Hall of Fame inductees back to campus and celebrate their remarkable athletic achievements and enduring dedication to Saint Francis,” Michael Pilawski, St. Francis’ vice principal of campus life, said in the release. “Each of these individuals exemplifies the spirit and leadership that define what it means to be a Lancer.”

Following the dinner and induction ceremony last Friday, the celebration continued at Ron Calcagno Stadium, where the inductees were introduced to the crowd during the varsity football game against St. Ignatius.