Ceres High School's varsity girls basketball team finally found its shooting touch.
The Bulldogs scored 17.5 points above their season average during Thursday's 54-49 road victory over Western Athletic Conference rival Livingston.
Ceres High, which snapped a six-game losing streak, hadn't won in over a month.
The Bulldogs improved to 3-12 on the year and 1-3 in the WAC standings.
The Wolves dropped to 7-9 and 2-3.
"It feels good to see the results of all the sweat and hard work," fourth-year varsity player Lili Jaimes said. "We deserved to win."
Ceres High sophomore standout Bryce Ford, back after serving a one-game suspension for missing practice last Monday to spend time with her grandmother, dominated with a 25-point barrage.
Jaimes, who scored in double figures for the second straight contest, had 11 points. She buried a season-high three 3-pointers. Lili was named to the Valley Oak League All-Defense Team as a freshman and sophomore.
"As captain, I feel it's my job to be the one to boost the confidence of other players," Jaimes said. "I'm getting more comfortable."
Said Ceres High head coach Shawna Nunes: "This year is the first time she (Lili) has had an opportunity to be a scorer for us. She's certainly doing a great job."
Bulldog teammates Jessica Ellsworth, Bethany Mazza and Elizabeth Nunes contributed eight, seven and three points, respectively.
Ceres High shot 67 percent (6 of 9) from the free-throw line.
Tara Lao poured in a team-high 23 points for Livingston. She drained four 3-pointers.
The Bulldogs outscored the Wolves 32-28 in the first half.
Ceres High increased its lead to 10 in the third quarter.
Livingston's rally fell short in the final period. Lao was limited to one point in the second half.
"It was a collective effort," Jaimes said. "Everybody stepped up."
Added Nunes: "I'm very proud of them."
Jaimes made two treys and totaled 12 points in a 43-36 loss to first-place Patterson on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
The Bulldogs competed with just six players.
Ellsworth and Ashton Frampton both scored eight points.
Nunes (five points), Sabrina Rinsamout (two points) and Mazza (one point) chipped in as well.
Ceres High drilled a season-high six 3-pointers.
The Bulldogs led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers pulled away late in the game.
"The fact that we could have beat Patterson without Bryce gave us confidence," Jaimes said. "We did well."
Ceres High will face its crosstown rival this week (Jan. 25).
The Bulldogs have won all eight meetings.
"It's always intense with Central Valley and we don't expect anything less," Jaimes said. "We're going to play hard. We don't want to let the tradition die."
Said Nunes: "It should be very competitive."
The Bulldogs scored 17.5 points above their season average during Thursday's 54-49 road victory over Western Athletic Conference rival Livingston.
Ceres High, which snapped a six-game losing streak, hadn't won in over a month.
The Bulldogs improved to 3-12 on the year and 1-3 in the WAC standings.
The Wolves dropped to 7-9 and 2-3.
"It feels good to see the results of all the sweat and hard work," fourth-year varsity player Lili Jaimes said. "We deserved to win."
Ceres High sophomore standout Bryce Ford, back after serving a one-game suspension for missing practice last Monday to spend time with her grandmother, dominated with a 25-point barrage.
Jaimes, who scored in double figures for the second straight contest, had 11 points. She buried a season-high three 3-pointers. Lili was named to the Valley Oak League All-Defense Team as a freshman and sophomore.
"As captain, I feel it's my job to be the one to boost the confidence of other players," Jaimes said. "I'm getting more comfortable."
Said Ceres High head coach Shawna Nunes: "This year is the first time she (Lili) has had an opportunity to be a scorer for us. She's certainly doing a great job."
Bulldog teammates Jessica Ellsworth, Bethany Mazza and Elizabeth Nunes contributed eight, seven and three points, respectively.
Ceres High shot 67 percent (6 of 9) from the free-throw line.
Tara Lao poured in a team-high 23 points for Livingston. She drained four 3-pointers.
The Bulldogs outscored the Wolves 32-28 in the first half.
Ceres High increased its lead to 10 in the third quarter.
Livingston's rally fell short in the final period. Lao was limited to one point in the second half.
"It was a collective effort," Jaimes said. "Everybody stepped up."
Added Nunes: "I'm very proud of them."
Jaimes made two treys and totaled 12 points in a 43-36 loss to first-place Patterson on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
The Bulldogs competed with just six players.
Ellsworth and Ashton Frampton both scored eight points.
Nunes (five points), Sabrina Rinsamout (two points) and Mazza (one point) chipped in as well.
Ceres High drilled a season-high six 3-pointers.
The Bulldogs led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers pulled away late in the game.
"The fact that we could have beat Patterson without Bryce gave us confidence," Jaimes said. "We did well."
Ceres High will face its crosstown rival this week (Jan. 25).
The Bulldogs have won all eight meetings.
"It's always intense with Central Valley and we don't expect anything less," Jaimes said. "We're going to play hard. We don't want to let the tradition die."
Said Nunes: "It should be very competitive."
