Central Valley’s Elizabeth Robinson and Ceres High’s Angelina Ursua have competed against each other in basketball since elementary school.

Ursua helped lead the Bulldogs to a pair of victories versus Robinson and the Hawks during the Western Athletic Conference varsity girls hoops campaign.

Elizabeth and Angelina suited up for the same team at the Turlock Journal’s Fourth Annual Central Valley Senior Showcase last week.

Robinson, Ursua and the National squad eked out a 64-61 win over the American squad Thursday night at Turlock High.

“It was really fun teaming up with her,” Robinson said. “We’ve known each other since elementary school. We always had to guard each other. Our sixth-grade year, we became friends. She’s a really good player. She makes it look easy.”

“It was a good experience to play with her,” Ursua said. “We’ve always been rivals. She’s a talented player. She makes the game look easy, too. She’s strong. She’s athletic. Her best quality is when she drives to the hoop.”

Robinson and Ursua both started during the Showcase contest.

“Everybody that taught me to play the game was there,” said Ursua, who enjoyed competing in front of her family and former coaches. “It was very special.”

“I basically played on the same team I had for travel ball,” said Robinson, who teamed up with former StanCo Stampede members Kaylin Randhawa (Pitman) and Hope Salsig (Turlock). “It was very enjoyable. There was a lot of talent. That’s why it was a close game. It was really competitive.”

Elizabeth totaled 10 points.

Angelina added seven points.

“I was one of the shortest players out there,” Robinson said. “Being able to drive and make layups was a big achievement for me.”

Ursua suited up for Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball team for two seasons.

“I bettered myself as a player,” she said.

Angelina plans to continue her hoops career at Merced College, which placed second at the California Community College Athletic Association State Tournament.

“I just love the game,” Ursua said. “It’s fun and quick-paced. It’s aggressive. That’s part of my personality.”

Robinson played one season with the Hawks.

Elizabeth had to take her junior year off following a major health scare.

“I thought I had food poisoning,” she said. “My appendix burst. I was five minutes away from dying. It took me five to six months to get back to where I was.”

Robinson is considering trying out for the UC Merced women’s hoops team.

“Basketball is my passion,” she said. “That’s all I want to do.”