Ceres High’s girls basketball team sought redemption while playing host to crosstown-rival Central Valley on Feb. 12.

Three weeks removed from losing 34-33 to the Hawks, the Bulldogs dominated the rematch by a score of 48-27 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

Ceres High earned bragging rights and secured a berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs in front of its home fans on Senior Night.

“We were very motivated and focused,” Bulldogs’ guard Lilly Staggs said. “We all played to our full potential. It felt really good to get revenge against our rivals. If we lost, we’d be knocked out of playoffs.”

Added Ceres High head coach Megan McGill: “We showed up ready to play. Last time, we underestimated CV and that was our mistake.”

Ceres High improved to 16-11 overall and finished in third place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 9-5 record.

The Bulldogs qualified for the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Central Valley finished 4-22 and last in the WAC standings with a 1-13 mark.

“We accomplished a lot during the regular season,” Staggs said. “We played to our potential. As long as you put 100 percent effort in every game, that’s all that matters.”

“I’m happy that our girls get to play another game together and I’m excited it’s against Sierra,” McGill said. “We lost by five (points) last time we played so it should be a good game. If we can have all five girls on the floor giving 100 percent on both ends of the court, we have a great chance for an upset.”

Ceres High had seven different players contribute on offense against Central Valley.

Staggs led the Bulldogs with 15 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Sovannary Carter tallied 11 points, seven steals, five rebounds and three assists.

Carter achieved a major milestone by reaching and surpassing 1,000 career points.

She’s scored 1,005 points in 104 career games.

“I’m so proud of Sovannary and all that she has accomplished,” McGill said. “She works so hard and gives everything she has to the team.”

Persia Rochell had seven points, four rebounds and one block.

Makaela Brown had six points, six rebounds, six steals and two blocks.

Presley Vierra had five points, two blocks, one assist and one steal.

Mariah Renteria had two points, five rebounds, five steals, four assists and one block.

Gennevicia Martinez-Angulo had two points, two rebounds and two steals.

Lilyanna Madrigal paced the Hawks with six points.

Alayah Villa totaled five points.

Gabriela Delatorre and Ari Martinez both contributed four points.

Emily Carranza and Valeria Padilla both tallied three points.

Serath Birring had two points.

Staggs, Carter, Rochell, Brown, Vierra and Renteria were recognized before their final home game.

The Hawks will lose five players to graduation, including Bella Delatorre, Dulce Del Valle, Emily Mariani, Ari Martinez and Alayah Villa. 

Ceres High elevated its level of play on its way to coasting to a 21-point victory over Central Valley during the final week of WAC play. The Bulldogs racked up 27 steals on defense.

“The first time we played Central Valley, we struggled,” said Staggs, who hyperextended a knee and was relegated to the bench in the third quarter of the Bulldogs’ one-point loss to the Hawks earlier this season. “This game, we played a lot better. We didn’t get in our heads. We did what we needed to do to win.”

The Bulldogs improved their head-to-head record to 5-1 against the Hawks since McGill’s promotion to head coach in 2022-23.

“It’s fun going against Central Valley,” Staggs said. “We’re not enemies. We get to play against each other and show our talent.” 

CHS 73, CV 70

Ceres High’s boys basketball team capped off the 2025-26 in memorable fashion.

The host Bulldogs earned bragging rights with a 73-70 win over the crosstown-rival Central Valley Hawks in front of a large crowd on Feb. 13 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

Ceres High exacted revenge for a 65-47 loss.

“Last time, we played Central Valley, we laid an egg,” Bulldogs’ first-year head coach Darae Taylor said. 

“I told the guys it was going to be a closer game,” Hawks’ leader Mike Rodriguez said. “Most of the (crosstown) games are close. Blowouts are very rare.”

Ceres High amassed a 10-18 overall record and placed sixth in the Western Athletic Conference with a 4-10 mark.

Central Valley finished 11-17 and fourth in the WAC standings (6-8).

“Even though the season didn’t go well, we appreciate their effort,” Taylor said. “Nobody checked out. They stayed the course. I do think the culture shifted. The kids understand this will be a process. We’re super excited for the journey.”

“The season was up and down,” Rodriguez said. “We had a lot of guys in and out of the lineup. We had some injuries. That didn’t help. We gave ourselves a chance at (playoffs) up until the last week and a half of the season. We played hard. Sometimes, it just doesn’t go your way.”

Cashton Almeida led Ceres High with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Raymond Cortez Jr. and Tayden Galton both tallied 17 points.

Elijah Robinson collected eight points.

Sophomore Parteek Sohal led Central Valley with 17 points.

Sophomore Xavier Manor added 16 points.

Silas Rodriguez totaled 12 points.

The  Hawks shot just 56 percent (15 of 27) from the free-throw line.

“We missed a lot of free throws and layups,” coach coach Rodriguez said. “That was the difference.”

Both teams faced deficits of 10-plus points.

“Ceres took control in the third quarter,” coach Rodriguez said. “They played hard. They were making more plays.”

Twenty-one days removed from suffering an 18-point loss at Central Valley, Ceres High was determined to exact payback during the rematch. 

“We wanted to end the season on a positive note,” Taylor said. “Everybody played hard.”

The Bulldogs improved their head-to-head record to 1-1 versus the Hawks under Taylor’s guidance.

“There’s a different energy in the gym (when the two teams play),” Taylor said.  “The kids know each other. It’s a fun rivalry. I want all of our games to feel like that.”

Ceres High will lose four players to graduation, including Cortez Jr., Tavian Ellis, Abijah Bratton and Victor Ramos.

“I’m proud of them,” Taylor said. “They’ve been instrumental to the growth of the program. They embraced our young guys. They passed the baton gracefully.”

The Hawks will graduate nine players: Silas Rodriguez, David Gutierrez, Michael Martinez, Jace Mclennon, Caden Mendonca, Jaylan Tagadaya, Alexander Aguilar, Jaycob Casias and Blake Silva.

“They led by example,” Mike Rodriguez said. “They showed up all the time. They were a part of last year’s team that helped us get back to playoffs. They got the program headed in the right direction.”