The members of Central Valley’s girls basketball team remained upbeat following last week’s loss to El Capitan in Central California Conference play.

Shorthanded Ceres High won one of three games versus Western Athletic Conference opponents.

Central Valley cut a double-digit deficit to eight points several times during the second half of Thursday’s 65-42 loss to visiting El Capitan.

“The score doesn’t show the challenge we presented them,” noted Hawks’ assistant coach Alyssa Long. “It was competitive.”

The last-place Hawks dropped to 2-18 and 0-6 in the CCC standings.

The third-place Gauchos improved to 15-5 and 4-2.

“We’re trying to build the program from the bottom up,” said Long, who coaches of Central Valley’s frosh-soph team. “We’re focusing on building fundamentals and love for the game. That’s what keeps girls here.”

Hawk Marion Dennison buried a career-high four treys while tallying a team-high 15 points versus the Gauchos.

“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come since freshman year,” Dennison said. “I’ve improved a lot.”

“I love the sport,” she added. “My bond with my teammates keeps me motivated.”

Central Valley’s Emily Mariani netted 13 points against El Capitan.

Jannet Valencia collected seven points.

Destiny Herrera had three points.

Julyanna Valencia added two points.

Central Valley faced a 30-17 deficit at the break.

“The thing that has been killing us all year is turnovers and not finishing,” Long said. 

The Hawks outscored the Gauchos 16-14 in the third quarter.

Central Valley lost 39-17 to Golden Valley on Jan. 16 in Ceres.

Jannet Valencia scored a team-high seven points.

Dennison buried two treys en route to totaling six points.

Herrera and Julyanna Valencia both contributed two points.

Ceres High competed without Sovannary Carter last week. The standout forward has been sidelined the past four games with an ankle injury.

She averages 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest.

“She brings energy, rebounds and offense,” Bulldogs’ head coach Megan McGill said. “She does things that don’t’ count as stats. She plays great defense and sets screens that create scoring opportunities for others.”

Ceres High lost 58-26 at Mountain House on Jan. 18.

The fourth-place Bulldogs dropped to 13-7 overall and 4-3 in the WAC standings.

The first-place Gauchos improved to 13-8 and 7-0.

Ceres High freshman Savannah Leifried tallied a career-high 10 points and seven rebounds while starting in place of Carter.

“She’s one of the most competitive players I’ve had,” said McGill. “She’s just a stud athlete. You put her in a sport and I’m sure she’s going to thrive.”

Arrayah Stallworth led the Bulldogs with 12 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and one steal.

Ceres High cruised to a 43-23 win over visiting Grace Davis on Jan. 16 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

Marissa Renteria led the Bulldogs with 21 points, 10 steals and one assist.

Stallworth had 11 points, 10 rebounds, one block and one steal.

Leifried had six points, three steals, two rebounds and one assist.

Ceres High lost 45-32 at Los Banos on Jan. 15.

Marissa Renteria paced Ceres High with 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Tsurui had three points, one rebound and one assist.

Stallworth had two points, 11 rebounds, one block and one steal.