Central Valley High School's varsity girls basketball team placed second at the Turlock Christian tournament last week.
"The last two years, we took seventh," Hawks head coach Jesse Padilla said. "This year, we made it to the championship game. That's a big jump."
Central Valley won two of its three games and improved to 3-3 on the season.
"They're playing more as a team now," Padilla said. "They're not rushing stuff anymore. They're slowing things down."
Senior guard Julie Calderon made the all-tournament team. The third-year starter averaged 13.3 points, 5.0 assists and 2.7 steals per contest.
"She did really well, especially on Friday night," Padilla said. "It was a joy to watch."
Bradshaw Christian of Sacramento topped Central Valley 52-24 for the title on Saturday.
"They were too tall and fast all the way around," Padilla said. "They could have scored 80 on us. They're that good."
Calderon totaled nine points, three assists and one steal to lead the Hawks. Phylicia Martinez and Miranda Espinoza both scored four points. Alyssa Long, Whitney Richardson and Samantha Mustaca all contributed two points.
Julie poured in a season-high 27 points, buried four of six treys, dished out five assists and registered three steals in a 40-31 win against Ripon Christian on Friday.
Central Valley pulled away in the second half behind Calderon's dominant play.
Julie knocked down three 3s on her way totaling 13 points in the third quarter.
Martinez and Calderon propelled the Hawks past Turlock Christian, 32-25, on Thursday.
Phylicia, a junior post player, tallied 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Julie had four points, seven assists, four steals and one block.
Central Valley will play host to Escalon on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
"The last two years, we took seventh," Hawks head coach Jesse Padilla said. "This year, we made it to the championship game. That's a big jump."
Central Valley won two of its three games and improved to 3-3 on the season.
"They're playing more as a team now," Padilla said. "They're not rushing stuff anymore. They're slowing things down."
Senior guard Julie Calderon made the all-tournament team. The third-year starter averaged 13.3 points, 5.0 assists and 2.7 steals per contest.
"She did really well, especially on Friday night," Padilla said. "It was a joy to watch."
Bradshaw Christian of Sacramento topped Central Valley 52-24 for the title on Saturday.
"They were too tall and fast all the way around," Padilla said. "They could have scored 80 on us. They're that good."
Calderon totaled nine points, three assists and one steal to lead the Hawks. Phylicia Martinez and Miranda Espinoza both scored four points. Alyssa Long, Whitney Richardson and Samantha Mustaca all contributed two points.
Julie poured in a season-high 27 points, buried four of six treys, dished out five assists and registered three steals in a 40-31 win against Ripon Christian on Friday.
Central Valley pulled away in the second half behind Calderon's dominant play.
Julie knocked down three 3s on her way totaling 13 points in the third quarter.
Martinez and Calderon propelled the Hawks past Turlock Christian, 32-25, on Thursday.
Phylicia, a junior post player, tallied 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Julie had four points, seven assists, four steals and one block.
Central Valley will play host to Escalon on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
