Central Valley's and Patterson's varsity boys basketball teams battled for second place and playoff seeding last week.
The Hawks earned a two-game series sweep of the Tigers with a 63-44 victory on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in Ceres.
Central Valley improved to 21-6 on the year and secured the Western Athletic Conference's No. 2 playoff berth (9-3).
Patterson dropped to 14-12 overall and finished third in the WAC (8-4).
The Hawks and Tigers will compete in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III postseason tournament.
"I've been coaching for a while," Central Valley leader Darryl Dickson said. "We've had some rough years. We've finally turned the corner. The next few years we should be pretty solid."
Modesto Christian transfer Daevon Brown buried four treys on his way to tallying a career-high 28 points for the Hawks.
"I'm happy for him," Dickson said. "He's always wanted to be here. He gives us a dimension that prevents teams from doubling. His demeanor is smooth. He's not afraid to take big shots."
Hawk teammates Kendel Johnson, Ryan Donnelly, Jaron Dickson and Juan Manriquez added 11, 10, nine and two points, respectively.
Central Valley opened the game on a 7-0 run and led by 10 (13-3) with 4:43 left in the first quarter. Johnson accounted for the Hawks' second basket. His dunk thrilled everyone in attendance.
Patterson responded with a 12-4 run and trailed 17-15 heading into the second quarter.
"We got off to a really good start," coach Dickson said. "We were focused. We were just a little bit better in the fourth quarter. We knew we'd have energy and momentum here. We have some passionate fans."
Central Valley pulled away in the final period thanks in large part to Brown's clutch play.
Patterson head coach Brian de la Porte, formerly of Ceres High, picked up two technical fouls and earned an ejection in the fourth quarter.
Donnelly, Johnson, Manriquez, Ja'Quan Gardner, Diego Sanchez and Milton Uti, Central Valley's six senior players, garnered special recognition before the start of the game.
"I'm happy for them," coach Dickson said. "We made history."
Central Valley won eight of its last nine games, including seven in a row, prior to being upset by Los Banos.
The Hawks will participate in the playoffs for the first time.
Central Valley's varsity girls basketball squad secured back-to-back WAC titles and postseason berths in the recent past (2010-12).
The Hawks have also experienced team success in wrestling, boys soccer and baseball.
"We've been working hard here for the last eight years trying to establish our program," Darryl Dickson said. "We're excited. It doesn't matter who we play and where we play. I do feel confident. I know we'll give a good performance. We're not just happy making the playoffs. Our goal is to win the section title."
Eleventh-seeded Central Valley will travel to Manteca today to face No. 6 Sierra (20-6, 12-2) in the opening round of the playoffs.
The contest will get underway at 7 p.m.
The Timberwolves, led by head coach Scott Thomason, captured their fourth straight Valley Oak League title this year.
