Ceres High's freshman girls basketball team defeated East Union and Oakdale last week to remain tied atop the Valley Oak League standings with Sierra.

"We know that every team we face wants to beat us," head coach Angela Durossette said. "I think the girls like that. They all contribute something different."

The Bulldogs (17-3 overall, 9-2 league) had plenty of motivation heading into Tuesday's showdown with visiting East Union.

Ceres High's 44-40 home win avenged a 26-point road loss to the Lancers (8-3).

The Bulldogs managed to upend East Union during the second meeting despite trailing by 13 at the end of the first quarter and totaling 30 turnovers.

"The girls really wanted to win that game because of what happened last time," Durossette said. "Defensively, we played a lot better. We had a lot of steals."

Jessica Ellsworth led Ceres High with 11 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Cierra Hammons had eight points, 11 rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Kaycee Creek totaled nine points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds.

The Bulldogs had multiple contributors during their 38-14 win against the overmatched Mustangs on Thursday at Ceres High School.

Creek tallied 10 points, six steals, three assists and two rebounds.

Ellsworth chipped in with eight points, five steals, four rebounds and two assists.

Harveen Gill scored seven points, pulled down seven rebounds and registered two steals.