Ceres High’s girls basketball team had it Western Athletic Conference South Division title hopes dashed by Los Banos this past week.
The Bulldogs had to settle for second place after losing twice to the Tigers.
“We were both undefeated,” Bulldogs’ head coach Mike Estrada Jr. said. “It was for the league championship. We had a chance to win both games.”
Ceres High dropped to 4-2 in the conference standings.
Los Banos improved to 8-0.
The Bulldogs had a two-week layoff prior to playing the Tigers due to COVID quarantine. A total of five games were canceled after Ceres High players came in close contact with an infected person during a league contest.
“We were prepared,” Estrada said. “We lost both games because of slow starts. We were a little sloppy. We made some mental errors.”
Ceres High fell 59-48 at Los Banos on Friday.
Catryna Marquez led the Bulldogs with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Celeste Leon had 13 points, eight rebounds and four steals.
Lysaida Munoz had nine points and four rebounds.
Sandra Espinoza had four points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Jalaycie Melendez had four points and three rebounds.
Melannie Gonzalez had two points.
Mia Rodriguez had six rebounds, two steals and one assist.
Ceres High suffered a 60-52 loss while battling Los Banos on Senior Night last Thursday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
Rodriguez collected 21 points, five rebounds, four steals and one assist.
Leon had 12 points, five rebounds, six steals and two assists.
Marquez collected 11 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Jaleen Melendez had six points and one steal.
Munoz had two points, five rebounds and two steals.
Marquez, Munoz and Gonzalez, Ceres High’s three senior players, were recognized prior to competing at home for the final time.
Munoz and Marquez are third-year varsity players.
“They both played a big part in helping me turn around the program,” Estrada said. “They were leaders for the younger players.”
Ceres High will close out the 2020-21 season at Golden Valley this Friday.
The non-conference game will get underway at 7:30 p.m.
