Eliminated from playoff consideration, Ceres High’s boys basketball team upset Los Banos and took care of business against Johansen last week.
“We’re going to continue to play hard for the rest of the season,” said Coach T.J. Walker Jr.
Ceres High thrilled its Homecoming fans with a 62-61 win over Los Banos Friday evening at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
“I expect these types of performances from this group,” Walker said. “It was a great team effort.”
The Bulldogs improved to 11-14 overall and moved into a tie for fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings (6-6) with Beyer.
The Tigers dropped to 18-5 overall and into third place in the WAC standings (9-3).
Lebron Stallworth’s 3-pointer from the left wing off an assist from AJ Brown with 6 seconds left in regulation propelled the Bulldogs past the Tigers.
“He stepped up with confidence and knocked it down. He carried us all night. It was needed every quarter.”
Stallworth totaled 34 points and eight rebounds.
Manuel Ortega collected nine points and seven rebounds.
Adrian Ontiveros had eight points, five rebounds and four assists.
Ricky Stanley had six points and five rebounds.
Manual Gonzalez grabbed three rebounds off the bench.
Ceres High fell behind 19-3 to start the game.
The Bulldogs turned a 15-point deficit into a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
“We played defense and scored,” said Walker.
Ceres High pulled away for a 56-40 win over Johansen on Wednesday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
“They played us tough in the first half. It was tie ball game. We opened it up in the second half.”
Brown led the Bulldogs with 19 points. He shot 40 percent (4 of 10) from 3-point range.
“He’s been amazing for us all year,” Walker said.
Martinez added 10 points and six rebounds.
Stanley tallied 10 points and five rebounds.
Stallworth collected seven points.
Ortega had six points and nine rebounds.
Ceres High outscored Johansen 34-18 during the second half.
CV ends losing streak
Central Valley’s boys basketball notched its eighth overall win and second conference victory last week.
The Hawks snapped a two-game losing streak with a 72-60 win against Buhach Colony in Central California Conference play on Senior Night this past Wednesday in Ceres.
Central Valley upperclassmen Jomari Ocasiones, Jayson Casias, Gage Mastropierro, Jeremy Alvarez and Jake Olson competed at home for the final time.
Ocasiones led Central Valley with 24 points and four steals.
Casias collected 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals.
Mastropierro had 17 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and five steals.
Central Valley dropped to 8-19 on the season and 2-8 in the CCC standings following Friday’s 70-46 loss at Golden Valley.
Casias led the Hawks with 12 points, 17 rebounds and four assists.
Ocasiones added 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Mastropierro had 10 points, five steals and two blocks.
Ceres High girls basketball
Ceres High’s youth-laden girls basketball team dropped a pair of conference games last week.
The seventh-place Bulldogs continue to show improvement in defeat.
“They’ve gotten better at looking for their shot and driving,” said Coach Megan McGill. “I tell them everyone needs to be an offensive threat.”
Host Los Banos pulled away for a 34-26 win over Ceres High in Western Athletic Conference play on Feb. 2.
“It was a competitive game the final three quarters,” McGill said.
Junior Marissa Renteria led Ceres High with eight points and two assists.
Jaleen Melendez had eight points.
Freshman Arrayah Stallworth had six points and eight rebounds.
Johansen cruised to a 61-32 victory against visiting Ceres High on Jan. 31.
The Bulldogs lost by just 10 points to the Vikings earlier this season.
Renteria led Ceres High with 19 points and four rebounds during the rematch.
Stallworth had four points and four rebounds.
Sophomore Nehemiah Valenzuela had four points and one rebound.
The Bulldogs dropped to 5-19 overall and 2-10 in the WAC standings.
“We thought we’d have a lot more wins this year. That’s a little disappointing. But they’ve improved so much. The girls have grown together and as players.”
