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Homecoming blues
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Camron Thornton envisioned leading Central Valley High School's varsity boys basketball program to an upset win over Central Catholic last week.

The senior guard sat with his head buried in his lap during the closing minutes of Friday night's 77-42 homecoming loss to the first-place Raiders.

"It's frustrating," Thornton said in a subdued voice. "They're a good team but not 30 points better than us. If we could have shot a higher percentage, it would have been closer."

Camron totaled eight points for Central Valley, which dropped to 9-17 overall and 4-6 in the Western Athletic Conference standings. He scored a program-record 33 points in a 78-67 victory against Pacheco two days earlier.

Hawk teammates Miguel Rodriguez, Diego Sanchez and Jordan Sek tallied 10, eight and five points, respectively. Jaron Dickson, Salvador Venegas and Minder Singh all contributed three points. Milton Uti had two points.

Six-foot-5 junior Jake Bland scored a game-high 19 points for the Raiders (22-4, 10-1). Terrell Elder had 14 points and eight rebounds. John Fenton, a 6-9 junior, collected 12 points, 22 rebounds and five blocks. Sophomore Donovin Townsend chipped in with 10 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

Central Catholic dominated from the opening tip.

Central Valley fell behind 20-5 in the first quarter and trailed by 30 points heading into the final period.

The Hawks were outeverythinged.

"They're size hurt us a little bit," Thornton said.

Camron, Sal and fellow senior Hawk Cristian Chavez played at home for the last time. The trio garnered special recognition before the game.

Central Valley will close out the 2011-12 season this week with a pair of road games.

The Hawks will play at Los Banos today and Ceres High on Friday. Both games will get underway at 7:30 p.m.

Central Valley hasn't beaten its crosstown-rival during its last five tries. Ceres High improved its all-time record versus the Hawks to 9-3 with a 63-53 road win last month.