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Dawgs win 2 of 3
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The Ceres High School varsity boys basketball team's early-game struggles continued this past week.

The visiting Bulldogs fell behind 16-2 in the first quarter during Wednesday's 56-42 loss to second-place Los Banos.

Ceres High lost its previous game, 61-40, to undefeated Central Catholic. The Bulldogs were outscored 19-8 in the opening period.

"We just got to be mentally and physically ready," Ceres High head coach Brian de la Porte said. "We talk about it all the time. Our motto is strike first."

Binder Atwal led the Bulldogs (3-5, 1-2) with 13 points. Caden Johnson collected 12 points. Jose Nava and Jr. Garcia both scored six points. Jimbo Pernetti had five points.

Ceres High shot 74 percent (14 of 19) from the free-throw line.

Joey Bennett drained five treys en route to pouring in a game-high 28 points for Los Banos (10-5, 3-1).

Atwal managed to lead the Bulldogs in scoring despite being slowed by a sprained ankle.

Ceres High teammate Haydon Turpin didn't play. The 6-foot-2 junior guard was sidelined with a torn ankle ligament, sustained at practice on Jan. 10.

"I'd be really surprised if he came back this year," de la Porte said. "Other guys got to step."

The Bulldogs will play host to Patterson on Wednesday and at Livingston on Friday. Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity

Jim Pernetti, head coach of Ceres High School's junior-varsity boys basketball team, returned to his alma mater this past week.

The Pernetti-led Bulldogs topped host Los Banos 51-40 in Western Athletic Conference play on Wednesday.

"I tell the kids you don't want to practice the day after we lose to Los Banos," Pernetti said. "I put that kind of pressure on them."

Brad Bussard made six of eight free throws while tallying a team-high 15 points for Ceres High, which moved to 2-1 in the league standings.

Dylan Canatsy and Mike Ghimenti totaled 14 and eight points, respectively.

Brent Bussard, Terry Brogdon and Jacob Edwards all contributed four points.

Jimmy Bates had two points.

The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 29-17 in the opening half.

"It's a great place to play," Pernetti said. "They have one of the best gyms in the valley. We don't lose there very often."

Ceres High will host Patterson today and play at Livingston this Friday.

"The emphasis is on us and what we do on the court," Pernetti said. "If your kids play well, you'll have a chance to beat any team."

Freshman

The members of Ceres High School's freshman boys basketball team dedicated additional time to free throws leading up to Wednesday's game at Los Banos.

The Bulldogs converted 14 of 18 foul shots on their way to a 50-44 win over the Tigers in Western Athletic Conference play.

"That's the reason we were able to win," Ceres High head coach Tracy Bull said.

Post player Caleb McDade scored a team-high 19 points for the Bulldogs, who improved to 2-1 in the WAC standings. Joshneil Sandhu, Blake Tobler and Sahil Sonil added 12, eight and six points, respectively.

Ceres High accounted for 14 of the contest's first 16 points.

"The game was never in doubt," Bull said. "We should have won by more."