Ceres High’s girls basketball team enjoyed a major turnaround from last season.

A year removed from finishing in sixth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 3-11 mark, the 2023-24 Bulldogs won 11 of 14 games while taking second in league play.

Marissa Renteria, Arrayah Stallworth, Sovannary Carter and Hailey Tsurui were rewarded for leading the way.

Renteria, Stallworth, Carter and Tsurui were honored during the WAC’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on Feb. 20 at Grace Davis High School.

“It was great to see them get recognition,” Ceres High second-year head coach Megan McGill said.

Renteria, a senior point guard, was selected to the WAC First Team.

“It’s not a surprise,” McGill said. “She’s one of the most recognized players on our team. You put her in any sport and she’ll be successful. She has a work ethic that’s unmatched. It doesn’t change whether we’re at practice or during a competitive game. She works really hard and has a great attitude while doing it.”

Renteria averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 1.7 assists per game.

She poured in a career-high 32 points, including 23 in the third quarter, in Ceres High’s 65-55 upset win of first-place Mountain House (13-1).

Renteria was held scoreless during the first meeting between the two teams.

“It was Senior Night,” she said. “I really didn’t want to lose. I had something to prove. It was personal. The last game, I was hurt. I didn’t get as much playing time. I had zero points.”

Bulldog fans stormed the court following the Bulldogs’ stunning victory versus the Mustangs.

Younger sister Mariah Renteria and a friend hoisted Marissa up on their shoulders.

Mountain House was unbeaten in WAC play prior to losing to Ceres High.

The Bulldogs battled back from a 12-point halftime deficit thanks in large part to Marissa’s third-quarter scoring barrage.

“Every time I scored, the crowd went crazy." 

“I didn’t know how much points I scored at the end of the game."

Marissa Renteria welcomed being a team captain this winter.

“She’s always led by example. This year, she became a lot more vocal. That was what we were hoping to get out of her.”

Stallworth and Carter were both named to the WAC Second Team.

Stallworth, a sophomore center, averaged 9.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.

“She’s an all-round player. She’s one of the most, naturally gifted athletes I’ve ever seen. She oozes talent.”

Carter, a sophomore power forward, averaged 9.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

“She brought a lot to the team with her work ethic, rebounding and presence on offense,” said McGill. “When she was out with an injury for a couple of games, our team struggled.”

Tsurui, a junior shooting guard, was an honorable-mention selection.

She averaged 4.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

“Hailey brings heart and hustle. She can also shoot the 3 really well.”