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Former Bulldogs compete at college level
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A group of Ceres High girls basketball players watched and rooted from the stands as former Bulldog teammates Krystle Brown and Quantelle Daniels faced off in college for the first time Saturday night in Modesto.

Brown, a freshman, donned a white-and-blue Modesto JC uniform. Daniels, a sophomore, wore a gold-and-navy blue Merced College uniform.

“This is the most nervous I've been before a game,” Brown said.

Added Daniels: “It was different.”

Brown scored 10 points and blocked four shots during the Pirates' 76-68 victory over the Blue Devils, who hadn't lost to Modesto JC (16-5, 2-0) in more than a dozen years.

Brown made just 3 of 12 field goals. She converted all four of her free throws.

“That wasn't her best shooting night but she still had a very good game,” Pirates coach Mike Girardi said.

Daniels had six points for Merced, which fell to 15-8 overall, 0-1 in the CVC. She made a mid-range jumper, layup and two free throws.

Both players logged a significant amount of playing time.

Brown started. Daniels was the first player off the bench.

There wasn't a head-to-head matchup. They played different positions.

Brown and Daniels played center and guard, respectively.

“We talked during the game,” Brown said. “The referees thought we were talking bad to each other and told us to stop.”

Daniels and Brown also chatted before the opening tip.

“We talked in the trainer's room about what's going on in our lives,” Brown said. “We didn't talk about basketball.”

After the game, they shared a hug. Daniels was gracious in defeat.

“I couldn't get mad at her,” Daniels said.

Together, Daniels and Brown helped guide the Ceres High varsity girls basketball program to 57 wins and three playoff berths. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier