Unstoppable on offense, Malakhi Shimon’s biggest play during the Ceres High-Central Valley varsity boys basketball game came in the waning seconds when he grabbed a defensive rebound.

Shimon and the Bulldogs outlasted the Hawks, 49-47, at the Ceres Holiday Classic on Dec. 20 in front of a large crowd at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

“It’s a crosstown game,” Shimon said. “That motivated us. We wanted to win this game not only for ourselves but for everyone who came to support us.”

“I’m disappointed in how it ended,” Central Valley junior Angel Zamarripa stated. “I felt like we should have won. We should have played more aggressive on defense in the beginning. Our team’s energy wasn’t right.”

“When we play, records and talent go out the window,” Ceres High coach T.J. Walker Jr. added.

Shimon scored a career-high 20 points for the Bulldogs.

“When I get the ball, I like to be aggressive,” he said. 

“Malakhi was a beast,” Walker said. “He’s always had that in him. He just needed to get into shape. He worked out this summer. He didn’t cut corners.”

Ceres High teammate Josh Pernetti added 10 points.

Verlis Smith and Samar Singh both tallied six points.

Isaiah Alcorn chipped in with three points.

Ryan Ashby and Sam Garcia had two points apiece.

Zamarripa led the Hawks with 17 points.

Kadin Manor totaled 14 points.

Yoshi Kumar and Juan Brambila contributed four points each.

Xavier Valencia and Jordan Lombardo both had three points.

Amari Taylor added two points.

Ceres High led 26-24 at intermission.

Both teams totaled 23 points during the second half.

Central Valley cut a seven-point deficit to two late in the game.

Shimon’s defensive rebound preserved the victory.

“I’m happy for the guys,” Walker said. “That’s a gritty win. It came down to who was going to make the last play.”

“They have a good team,” Zamarripa said.