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JV boys win final game
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Ceres High JV boys basketball coach Jim Pernetti praised his team after it defeated the Atwater Falcons 59-51 in Atwater on Friday. The Bulldogs won their season finale.

"These kids fought hard every week," Pernetti said. "I'm proud of them."

Ceres compiled a 3-10 record in the Central California Conference standings. The Falcons lost twice to the Bulldogs this season and went 0-13 in the CCC.

"The win-loss record didn't show it but we improved," Pernetti said. "I can honestly say there's five, six or seven kids who can help the varsity team next year."

Eight players scored for Ceres, which shot 32 percent from the field (20-for-63), 42 percent from the foul line (16-for-38) and committed 25 turnovers.

Bryant Hill scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the second half.

Brad Muniz scored 10 of his career-high 17 points in the first half.

"Brad and Bryant stepped up," Pernetti said. "They did what they were supposed to do."

Joe Gallo, Kevin Holliday and Steve Davis had seven, six and four points, respectively, for the Bulldogs. Marcus Castrejon and Anthony Karlegan had two points apiece. Melky Calderon had one point.

"We had balance," Pernetti said.

Seven players scored for Atwater, which shot 25 percent from the floor (17-for-68), 50 percent from the foul line (14-for-28) and had 21 turnovers.

Dirk Nelson finished with a team-high 13 points. Fernando Reyes added 11 points. Eddie Lasley and Michael Magana had seven points apiece. Brooks Beatty scored six points. David Delgado and Juan Sanchez scored four and three points, respectively.

Ceres outscored Atwater 21-13 in the fourth quarter on 7-for-14 shooting.

"We switched to man-to-man defense, upped the pressure a little bit," Pernetti said.

Muniz took a charge and buried a fadeaway jumper to put Ceres ahead 49-40 with 4:50 remaining. Muniz's shot capped an 11-0 run.

The Bulldogs outscored the Falcons 8-2 in the final 1:05.

Ceres trailed 26-22 at halftime. The Bulldogs outscored the Falcons 13-8 in the first quarter.

"Brad carried us in the first half," Pernetti said.

The Bulldogs evened the score at 38-all in the third quarter.

Modesto 60, Ceres 51

The outcome would have been different if Ceres made its free throws. The Bulldogs missed 22 of 34 free throws en route to a 60-51 loss to the Modesto High Panthers at Ceres High School Wednesday evening.

Eight Ceres players scored, including two in double figures.

Hill and Dingko Luangchai had 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Nine Modesto players scored, including two in double figures.

Ben Strickland had a game-high 14 points. Duane Victory scored 10 points.

The Bulldogs trailed 25-23 at halftime.

Ceres made just 6 of 22 free throws in the first half, including 4 of 14 in the second quarter.

The Panthers outscored the Bulldogs 21-11 in the third quarter.

Victory, Strickland and Travis Cardoso scored 22 of Modesto 's 35 points in the second half. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier