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Runner-up finish for CVs varsity girls basketball team
Hawks win two of three games at Pitman tourney
casey.tiff
Central Valleys Casey McCloskey battles for possession against Sierra in the opening round of the Pitman Pride Holiday Classic. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity girls basketball team advanced to the finals of the First Annual Pitman Pride Holiday Classic last week.

"The girls stepped up and played well," head coach Jesse Padilla said. "Our execution was pretty good."

The Hawks had to settle for runner-up honors after losing 42-34 to Grace Davis on Saturday.

"It was back and forth until the end," Padilla said. "We had our shot and couldn't finish."

Post Player Tamara Uti was sidelined with an ankle injury.

"We have a lack of size when she's not in," Padilla said.

Melissa Afortunado tallied nine points, three steals, one block and one assist for Central Valley, which led 28-27 through three quarters of play.

Grace Davis outscored Central Valley 15-6 in the final eight minutes.

Mia Lorenzo totaled eight points, five assists, two steals, one rebound and one block.

Heaven Simon added eight points and three steals.

Lynaya Lerma tallied three points, two rebounds, and one assist.

Bianca Zuniga scored two points and grabbed four rebounds.

Lindsey Alexander contributed two points and one steal.

Jazareth Valencia and Casey McCloskey both had one point and four rebounds.

The Hawks compiled a 2-1 record at Pitman's eight-team tournament.

Fueled by a 10-4 run in the fourth quarter, Central Valley edged Chavez 33-32 in the semifinals on Friday.

Lorenzo led the Hawks with 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist.

Simon had four points, three steals, two rebounds and one assist.

Zuniga collected four points, two rebounds and one steal.

Lerma chipped in with one point, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Central Valley had its way with Sierra, 57-35, in the opening round on Thursday.

The Hawks outscored the Wolves 36-14 in the middle periods.

Lorenzo netted a season-high 23 points, to go along with seven steals, two assists and one rebound.

Uti had 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Ali Martinez had seven points and four rebounds.

Zuniga had four points and three rebounds.

Simon had four points and two steals.

Lorenzo, Simon and Lerma were selected to the all-tournament team.

Central Valley (7-5) will begin the Western Athletic Conference portion of its schedule next game.

The Hawks will play host to Central Catholic on Jan. 7 and at Ceres High on Jan. 9.

Both games will get underway at 7:30 p.m.