Rob Beckhart (Central Valley boys wrestling) and Megan McGill (Ceres High girls basketball) have been named the Courier’s co-Coaches of the Year.
McGill is a third-time winner.
“She’s a great coach,” Ceres High senior guard Lilly Staggs said. “She gives good advice and criticism. She’s hard-working.”
The Bulldogs have improved each year during McGill’s four-year tenure as head coach.
“It’s been great to see Ceres High girls basketball back in the playoffs and competing at a high level,” McGill said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great players in the last four years and a strong coaching staff that cares about our girls and encourage them to be the best version of themselves.”
Ceres High posted a 17-12 overall record, finished third in the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 9-5 mark and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The Bulldogs bested one of two opponents while placing in the top eight in the Division-III playoff bracket for the second year in a row.
Eleventh-seeded Ceres High knocked off sixth-seeded Sierra 36-35 in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Bulldogs exacted revenge for a 50-34 loss suffered during the regular season.
Ceres High played one of its best games of the year in losing 60-52 to third-seeded Lathrop in the quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs lost 76-43 and 56-29 to the Spartans during WAC play.
“This team had a lot of talented and experienced varsity players,” McGill said. “We returned most of our players from last year, so the expectations were extremely high.”
Central Valley accomplished a lot under Beckhart’s direction.
The Hawks compiled a program-best 21-3 record against dual competition.
Central Valley qualified for Sac-Joaquin Section Team Dual Championships on the strength of its first-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference standings (6-1).
The Hawks claimed their fourth WAC dual title.
Central Valley placed first at the conference tournament for the second year in a row.
The Hawks cruised to a 76-6 win against crosstown-rival Ceres High Bulldogs.
Central Valley finished second overall at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships.
Central Valley had 11 wrestlers medal at the WAC finals and seven at Divisionals.
The Hawks sent five grapplers to Masters.
“I’m proud of them,” Beckhart said. “They’ve proven they’re one of the best teams in the area. This is something that can never be taken away from them.”
