Ceres High's and Patterson's junior-varsity boys basketball teams put their perfect Western Athletic Conference records on the line this past week.
The host Bulldogs put up a fight for a half before losing 55-30 to the Tigers on Wednesday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
"We just came out extremely flat in the second half," Ceres High head coach Lance Hunter said. "We just didn't play with enough effort and intensity."
The Bulldogs dropped to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in the WAC standings.
The Tigers improved to 4-0 in league play.
Marcellus Boykins tallied a team-high nine points for Ceres High.
Bulldog standout guard/forward Wyatt Ogden did not play because he was sick.
Joe Okiu totaled a game-high 18 points for Patterson.
Patterson snapped Ceres High's seven-game winning streak.
The Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 35-11 in the second half.
Ceres High will play host to crosstown-rival Central Valley (16-1, 3-1) on Friday at 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ceres High 's junior-varsity girls basketball team collected its 15th win of the season and improved to 4-0 in the WAC last week.
The Bulldogs rallied for a 40-39 win over host Patterson on Jan. 13.
"It was a pretty intense game," Ceres High head coach Kristen McClure said.
Bulldog standout Alexis Contreras matched her season-high total for scoring with 20 points.
Ceres High overcame a three-point deficit late in the game as Contreras and Rayohna Sagapolu (four points) each converted both of their foul shots.
"They made their free throws when it mattered," McClure said. "I'm proud of them for doing that."
Contreras made a pair of free throws to cut the Tigers' lead to one with less than a minute to play.
Sagapolu made the tying and go-ahead free throws with 6 seconds left in regulation.
"She didn't seem nervous," McClure said. "If she was, she didn't show it."
Rayohna secured the victory with a steal as the Bulldogs were able to run the remaining time off the clock.
Ceres High will play at crosstown-rival Central Valley tomorrow at 6 p.m.
CV frosh unbeaten
Central Valley High School's freshman girls basketball team won twice by blowout in WAC play this past week.
The Hawks improved to 11-1 on the year and 4-0 in league following Thursday's 50-11 victory over host Pacheco.
Laiza Diaz led the way with a game-high 17 points.
Elizabeth Robinson tallied a career-high 35 points during Central Valley's 58-19 rout of Pacheco on Jan. 13 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
Avila added 15 points.
Central Valley will host Ceres High tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
