Matt Schwark and the Ceres High varsity boys basketball team lost 64-56 to Downey Friday night in Ceres.
Schwark scored a season-high 19 points for the Bulldogs, who were outscored 20-12 in the first quarter.
"It's very disappointing," Schwark said. "We came out looking for a win and couldn't assure it."
Added Ceres coach Jason Martin: "We knew what they were going to do. For some reason, we weren't ready to play."
Ceres fell to 1-8 in the Modesto Metro Conference, 7-14 overall.
Downey improved to 6-3 in the league standings.
The Knights opened the game with a 10-2 run. Downey made its first five shots, all layups.
"That's the difference in the game," Martin said.
"We gave up way too many second shots."
Said Schwark: "We came out flat in the first quarter. Otherwise, we kept battling back."
Ceres trailed 30-22 at halftime.
Each team tallied 34 points after intermission.
Schwark had 15 points, including nine in fourth quarter.
Ceres couldn't stop Downey's Brad Bispo. The senior scored a game-high 31 points, including 18 in the second half.
"He's a very physical player," Schwark said. "He's clutch. He knows how to lead his team."
Ceres' Kevin Dupree, Brad Muniz and Rafael Valencia scored nine, eight and six points, respectively. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Schwark scored a season-high 19 points for the Bulldogs, who were outscored 20-12 in the first quarter.
"It's very disappointing," Schwark said. "We came out looking for a win and couldn't assure it."
Added Ceres coach Jason Martin: "We knew what they were going to do. For some reason, we weren't ready to play."
Ceres fell to 1-8 in the Modesto Metro Conference, 7-14 overall.
Downey improved to 6-3 in the league standings.
The Knights opened the game with a 10-2 run. Downey made its first five shots, all layups.
"That's the difference in the game," Martin said.
"We gave up way too many second shots."
Said Schwark: "We came out flat in the first quarter. Otherwise, we kept battling back."
Ceres trailed 30-22 at halftime.
Each team tallied 34 points after intermission.
Schwark had 15 points, including nine in fourth quarter.
Ceres couldn't stop Downey's Brad Bispo. The senior scored a game-high 31 points, including 18 in the second half.
"He's a very physical player," Schwark said. "He's clutch. He knows how to lead his team."
Ceres' Kevin Dupree, Brad Muniz and Rafael Valencia scored nine, eight and six points, respectively. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier