McCarthy Credits Clovis West Titles as Schoonover Prepares Fresno State Debut

Fresno State women's basketball opens its season against UC Merced in less than two weeks, and freshman guard Ryleigh Schoonover will take the floor at Save Mart Center after four years winning at Clovis West. The Golden Eagles have taken 14 straight Central Section championships during her tenure, a run that ended in June. Clovis West coach Craig Campbell said the program aims to contend annually. "We want to be good every year," Campbell said. "We're not going to win it every year, but we want to be knocking on the door every year."

Fresno State coach Ryan McCarthy said he considers Schoonover the top player in her area class of 2026. "Riley came in and proved that right away," McCarthy said, adding that her high school background prepares her for the college level. "She played with a very good high school basketball program here, and all they did to win. And so, that's the expectation when she sets out on the floor." Schoonover credited Campbell for readying her for McCarthy's system, saying that at both levels, "Everything is the standard."

Schoonover chose to stay near home as other Clovis West standouts left the program. She said wearing the valley mark carries weight. "To wear that valley 'V' on your chest, it's something different," Schoonover said, adding that people outside the valley do not understand it. She joins a Fresno State roster pursuing a Pac-12 championship. Campbell said he expects further growth at the college level. "I think that's one of the things that's so exciting for Coach McCarthy and the staff is she's just scratching the surface on what a gifted player she could be for them," Campbell said.

Campbell's 14-year title streak at Clovis West includes consecutive Central Section championships. Fresno State's opener against UC Merced is scheduled for early November at the Save Mart Center, where Schoonover will make her college debut.