Central Valley’s varsity boys basketball team outlasted crosstown-rival Ceres High 80-75 in overtime during last Wednesday’s non-conference matchup.

The Hawks and Bulldogs are competing in different conferences beginning this school year.

“We’re going to try to keep the rivalry going,” Central Valley coach Mike Rodriguez said. “It’s good for everybody. The kids enjoy it. The students enjoy it. They’ll host us next year.”

Max Sanchez drained five treys en route to tallying a team-high 18 points for the Hawks (3-6).

Daniel Villasenor added 16 points.

Tony Gaut, Grant Neang, Jaeden Merchant, Munraj Singh, Kadin Manor and Jonathan Vierra contributed 11, 10, nine, eight, five and three points, respectively.

Central Valley shot 61 percent (17 of 28) from the free-throw line.

Elijah Hughes had a career-high 29 points for Ceres High, which had a 1-2 record as of Monday.

Sophomore Derrick O’Neal added 14 points.

Verlis Smith, Malakhi Shimon, Brock DeWitt and Christian Murry contributed 11, nine, eight and four points, respectively.

The Bulldogs shot 73 percent (16 of 22) from the foul line.

The Hawks outscored the Bulldogs 15-10 during overtime.

Sanchez buried two treys on his way to tallying seven points.

Singh netted four points.

Neang and Merchant chipped in with two points apiece.

Central Valley and Ceres High battled to a 65-65 tie in regulation.

The Bulldogs battled back from a double-digit deficit.

Villasenor missed a potential, game-winning 3-pointer from the left wing late in the fourth quarter.

“It ended up being a close game just as I anticipated,” Rodriguez said. “It was really competitive. Both teams made plays. Fans from both sides were excited. It was a great atmosphere.”

Hawks struggle

Central Valley’s varsity boys basketball team struggled to an 0-3 record at the 34th Annual Stonebarger Tournament, which was staged Dec. 6-8 in Brentwood.

“It wasn’t a very good weekend for us,” Rodriguez said. “We shot terrible. It’s a little surprising. Going into the tournament, we were averaging 75 points per game.”

The Hawks dropped their tourney opener, 76-32, to host Liberty on Thursday.

Central Valley lost 75-35 to Enochs on Friday.

The Eagles avenged an 80-72 loss.

Skyline defeated Central Valley 60-52 on Saturday.

“We had a hard time adjusting to the style of play,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a lot more physical up there.”

Central Valley will host Modesto High today and face Bret Harte on Friday and Linden on Saturday in the Ceres Holiday Classic at Ceres High.

Ceres High will battle Linden on Dec. 14 and Bret Harte on Dec. 15.

 “We’re playing three teams that are beatable,” Rodriguez said.