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Bulldog water polo teams have nowhere to go but up
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Ceres High School's varsity boys water polo team returned to the playoffs in 2010 after a four-year absence.

The Bulldogs struggled to a 4-10 record this past season.

Ceres High will look to rebound in 2012.

"We got a good mix of players," second-year head coach Tracy Bull said.

The Bulldogs will rely heavily on sprinter/wing Terry Brogdon. The 6-foot-5 junior ranked second in scoring on the team behind 2012 Ceres High grad Zachary Zamaroni.

Brogdon, a Valley Foothill League honorable-mention selection, tallied 25 goals.

"I know he loves basketball but he has much more potential in water polo because of his size and shot," Bull said. "No one is going to be bigger and stronger. He's going to score a ton of goals for us this year. He has a chance to be a MVP candidate. He can be one of the greats in the area."

Other Bulldog returners are Mario Gonzalez (Sr.), Jacob Stone (Sr.), Ethan Campbell (Jr.) and Zachary Jones (So.).

Jones, a southpaw, will contribute from the perimeter. Zachary starred on Ceres High's boys swimming team last spring.

"He's going to be unstoppable by the time he's a senior," Bull said.

Samuel Ochoa (Sr.) and Anthony Vasquez (Jr.) are the Bulldogs' top newcomers.

Vasquez, a 6-foot-1 goalkeeper, was a late addition to the team.

"I went out and recruited him when he was registering for classes," Bull said. "Once we got him in the water, he was better than we hoped for. He's going to improve as the season goes on. He's very athletic. He's got good hands. He has a strong arm. We're working hard on his treading skills."

Ceres High finished sixth in the VFL standings last last season.

The Bulldogs will compete in the Western Athletic Conference, a newly-formed league for water polo, in 2012.

Ceres High will face Central Catholic, Livingston, Los Banos and Pacheco twice.

Los Banos finished ahead of Ceres High, Pacheco and Central Catholic last season.

The WAC will send just one team to the playoffs.

"Los Banos has to be the favorite because they beat us handily last year," Bull said. "But that was last year. Every team is beatable in our league, including Los Banos. We're excited about the challenge."

GIRLS OUTLOOK

Ceres High School's varsity girls water polo team tied for last place with Central Catholic in the Valley Foothill League standings last year.

The Bulldogs, 1-9 a season ago, have nowhere to go but up in 2012 thanks in large part to conference realignment.

Ceres High, Central Catholic, Los Banos, Pacheco and Livingston's first-year program will compete in the Western Athletic Conference.

Former-rivals Oakdale, Sonora and Kimball and newcomer Ripon formed the Valley Oak League.

Oakdale, Sonora and Kimball placed first, third and fourth, respectively, in the VFL a season ago.

"I have really high expectations for the team," head coach Stephen Dias said. "The girls are motivated. They're working hard. They want to win."

The Bulldogs' top-returning players are Haley Fisicaro (Sr.), Cassidy Hines (Jr.), Emily Chapman (Jr.) and Jordan Pata (Jr.).

Fisicaro and Chapman were named team captains.

Haley was a VFL honorable-mention pick as a junior. She scored 20 goals.

"Both girls have strong leadership qualities," Dias said.

Samantha Le (Jr.), Katie Rose (Jr.), Maya Narvaez (Jr.) and Kyndal Chapman (So.) are new to the team.

Samantha, Katie, Maya and Kyndal contributed at the JV level last year.

The Chapman sisters will split playing time at goalkeeper this season.

"We have some talented girls and depth on our bench," Dias said. "I'm optimistic."