Central Valley’s girls basketball program appears to be moving in the right direction under second-year head coach Derrick Goblirsch’s direction.

The Hawks more than doubled their win total from their previous season this past winter.

“Hopefully, we can win more games than last year,” Goblirsch stated while talking about expectations for the 2025-26 campaign. “We want to continue to work and get better. That’s the main thing. Our experience is going to help us.”

A total of 12 players earned spots on Central Valley’s team this year, including Bella Delatorre (Sr.), Dulce Del Valle (Sr.), Emily Mariani (Sr.), Ari Martinez (Sr.), Alayah Villa (Sr.), Emily Carranza (Jr.) Reylena Herrera (Jr.), Lilyanna Madrigal (Jr.), Val Padilla (Jr.), Mia Muniz (So.) Serath Birring (Fr.) and Selah Chesney (Fr.).

Muniz is currently sidelined with a leg injury.

“I’m excited with the group we have,” Goblirsch said. “Now, we have good numbers and talent. We have a lot of returners. That makes a big difference.”

Delatorre, Del Valle, Mariani, Martinez, Villa, Herrera, Padilla and Madrigal are returners.

Carranza, Muniz, Birring and Chesney are newcomers.

Martinez averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 steals and 1.5 rebounds per game as a junior.

Mariani averaged 5.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.0 assists per game.

Madrigal averaged 4.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Delatorre averaged 2.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

Herrera averaged 1.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Villa averaged 1.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

Padilla averaged .32 rebounds per game.

Delatorre, Mariani and Martinez will serve as team captains this year.

“All three of them have been in the program all four years,” Goblirsch said. “They’ve grown into leaders. Bella does a little bit of everything for us. Defensively, Ari plays a huge role. She understands what we’re trying to do. Emily brings a calming presence to the team.”

The Hawks will be vying for their first Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearance since 2016-17 this winter.

Central Valley posted a 7-21 record and tied for last place with Johansen in the WAC standings with a 1-13 mark this past season.

The Hawks finished 3-24 and last in the Central California Conference (1-11) in 2023-24.

Central Valley relocated from the CCC to the WAC last school year as part of the Section’s league realignment plan.

The Hawks’ WAC schedule features home-and-road games against the Ceres High Bulldogs, Beyer Patriots, Grace Davis Spartans, Johansen Vikings, Livingston Wolves, Lathrop Spartans and Pacheco Panthers.

“Going into league, I think we can be competitive with all of the teams,” Goblirsch said. “That’s the goal.”

Pacheco (21-8, 12-2) claimed the league title this a year ago.

Ceres High (22-8, 10-4) and Grace Davis (22-6, 10-4) tied for second place, followed by Beyer (16-11, 9-5), Lathrop (13-14, 7-7), Livingston (11-15, 6-8), Johansen (7-21, 1-13) and Central Valley.

The Hawks dropped a pair of games to the crosstown-rival Bulldogs.

Central Valley lost 58-16 and 52-30 to Ceres High.

“It doesn’t take a lot to get locked in for that game,” Goblirsch said. “We’re going to have to execute and hit some shots. We’ll see what happens.”

“Ceres High is super talented,” he added. “I don’t see that being any different this year.”