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Bulldogs claim title
Ceres High girls place first overall at Hughson event
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Bulldog guard Breanna Moreno was rewarded for her outstanding play in Hughson. She was named the tournaments Most Valuable Player. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

The members of Ceres High School's varsity girls basketball team brought home championship tee shirts from the Hughson tournament this past week.

"We played hard and great together," Bulldogs head coach Kristen McClure said.

Ceres High compiled a perfect 3-0 record on its way to a first-place finish.

Point guard Breanna Moreno was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Post player Jade Moore earned all-tourney honors.

"They did an awesome job," McClure said.

Ceres High edged Gregori 58-57 for the title on Saturday.

The Jaguars appeared to win the game as time expired with a 3-point shot.

"The buzzer went off before it left her hand," McClure said. "Our bench was going crazy. It was an intense game. We were pretty much down the whole game. We kept chipping away. Our defense was what won us the game."

Bulldog guard Jessica Arreola also played a key role.

She hit two crucial foul shots with less than one second left in regulation.

"She knew what was at stake and wasn't worried," McClure said. "She's one of our best free-throw shooters."
Arreola totaled six points.

Moore led Ceres High with 12 points.

Ariel Knights tallied 11 points.

Moreno, Kaylee Holloway and Mahlena O'Neal chipped in with 10, nine and six points, respectively.

Jasmine Moore and Leena Bassi both contributed two points.

Ceres High defeated Denair 49-33 on Friday.

Knights paced the Bulldogs with 13 points.

O'Neal collected 10 points.

Jasmine Moore netted eight points.

Arreola and Moreno finished with six and four points, respectively.

Holloway, Jade Moore, Natalia Cortez and sophomore Ayannah O'Neal all scored two points.

Ceres High opened the tournament with a 41-34 win over host Hughson on Thursday.

Moreno had a team-high 10 points.

Arreola, Jade Moore, Knights and Holloway tallied nine, eight, seven and six points, respectively.

Cortez added one point.

Ceres High fourth-year standout Nicole Bates missed the tournament with a pulled hamstring.

She served as the team's stat keeper.

"With Nicole being out, we had to rely on Breanna, Jessica and Natalia to bring the ball up," McClure said.
"They did an awesome job. Everyone stepped up."

Ceres High, 3-1 as of Monday, will host Sonora on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.