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Ceres High varsity girls win again
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Ceres High's varsity girls basketball team won its second straight Valley Oak League game on Tuesday, Jan. 13, beating Manteca 44-33 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs withstood a late rally by the Buffaloes.

"Our kids did not buckle," head coach Shawna Nunes said.

Jode Johnson scored a game-high 14 points for Ceres High (6-10, 2-2 VOL). Aimee Gunzenhauser made seven of nine free throws on her way to tallying 11 points. Jamie Beck had nine points, 15 rebounds and nine blocks. Stephanie Yankovich also collected nine points. Amy Raymond added one point. Lili Jaimes starred on defense. Leah Rose, Emily Alvarez and Bethany Mazza contributed off the bench.

"Every single kid played hard," Nunes said.

Beck dominated inside at both ends. The 6-foot-1 sophomore fell one point and one block short of a triple-double.

"She worked really hard," Nunes said. "She changed the game."

Morgan Salsedo led the Buffaloes (8-9, 1-3 VOL) with 10 points. Sharon Washington and Kristin Llamas both scored eight points. Davina Bennett contributed seven points.

The Bulldogs managed to grab an 18-16 at intermission despite struggling against Manteca's swarming defense.

Ceres High put the ball in the hands of Gunzenhauser, Johnson and Beck in the second half.

"The beginning, we weren't getting into our press offense fast enough," Nunes said. "We made an adjustment at halftime. That was the difference in the game."

The Bulldogs outscored the Buffaloes 26-17 in the final 16 minutes. Jode (10 points), Jamie (seven) and Aimee (six) combined for 23 points after intermission.

Ceres High will play host to crosstown rival Central Valley on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.