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Central Valley girls wrap up summer
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Central Valley High School's AAU girls basketball squad amassed an 8-11 record during the summertime.

"We could have won more games if I didn't sub," head coach Jesse Padilla said. "I made sure everybody played."

The Hawks wrapped up their five-week campaign by winning one of two games at Modesto Junior College on Monday, July 7.

Central Valley finished 5-5 in the league standings.

The Hawks participated in tournaments at Los Banos High School and Stanislaus State in June. Central Valley tallied three wins and six losses.

"The big thing was not panicking anymore," Padilla said when asked to evaluate his team's performance. "They realize they can play with anybody."

Central Valley's 11-player roster featured Julie Calderon, Phylicia Martinez, Miranda Espinoza, Whitney Richardson, Samantha Mustaca, Amanda Lopez, Gigi Sahota, Jessica Rodriguez, Giselle Villegas, Eva Noorzai and Lizette Covarrubias.

Calderon led the way.

"It's like having another coach out on the floor," Padilla said. "She's always encouraging the other girls and telling them they could do better."

Calderon starred at the varsity level the past two seasons. The all-Valley Oak League guard averaged 12.3 points, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game in 2007-08, helping the Hawks triple their previous year's win total (6).

Martinez, Richardson and Espinoza also chipped in.

Mustaca, Lopez, Sahota, Rodriguez and Villegas suited up for the frosh-soph team.

Noorzai and Covarrubias guided the frosh squad to a 10-4 record in the VOL.

Eva and Lizette both had stellar summer campaigns.

"They did really well," Padilla said.

Calderon and Co. will try to lead Central Valley to its first Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth in its three-year history during the 2008-09 school year.

"I think we'll have a shot if we stick together," Padilla said. "We won't be a pushover like we have been."

The Hawks posted a combined record of 8-40 the last two seasons.