Ceres High School's junior-varsity girls basketball team held a slim four-point lead at the end of the third quarter during last week's road game versus Sierra.
The Bulldogs suffered a stunning collapse in the final period.
Sierra outscored Ceres High 22-6 and rallied for a 47-35 victory on Dec. 17 in Manteca.
"We just had a surprisingly, bad quarter," Bulldogs head coach Jeff Borden said. "We've been a good, fourth-quarter team all year."
Perla Vargas tallied a game-high 18 points against Sierra.
Karina Ceja collected 13 points.
Colleen Mauga had four points.
Ceres High led 29-25 at the end of the third quarter.
The Bulldogs managed to score just six points the rest of the way thanks in large part to Sierra's stifling defense.
"We didn't do a very good job of breaking the press," Borden said. "We didn't take care of the ball."
Atwater tourney
Ceres High won the consolation championship at the Atwater tournament the previous week.
The Bulldogs compiled a 2-1 record.
Kinsey Ward was selected to the all-tourney team.
"She was one of the best point guards in the tournament," Borden said. "She played really strong defense."
Ceres High closed out the tournament with a 50-32 win over Delhi on Dec. 15.
Vargas tallied a team-high 19 points.
Ceja totaled 16 points.
The Bulldogs will play host to Sonora on Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Ceres High has won four of its last seven games.
The Bulldogs endured an 0-3 start to the season.
"I'm pleased," Borden said. "We are making progress."
Freshman
Ceres High School's freshman girls basketball team won its first six games, including five by blowout.
The Bulldogs put their perfect record on the line against Sierra this past week.
Ceres High battled back from a 12-point first-half deficit before losing 46-33 to the Timberwolves in non-conference play on Dec. 17 in Manteca.
The Bulldogs converted just eight of 24 free throws and were outscored 40-18 in the first, second and fourth quarters.
"That definitely hurt us along with our defense," Ceres High assistant coach Kristen McClure said. "They just need to have a little bit more confidence in themselves."
Ceres High dropped to 6-1 on the year.
Sierra improved to 7-2.
The Bulldogs placed first at the Ceres High and Grace Davis tournaments.
Mahlena O'Neal led the Bulldogs in scoring last week with 15 points.
Jessica Arreola added six points
Sierra took control early by building a 23-11 lead in the opening half.
"That's the best defensive team we've played," McClure said. "Our girls got a little flustered."
A 15-3 run helped the Bulldogs pull even at 26-all in the third quarter.
Ceres High's comeback bid fell short thank to a lackluster performance in the fourth quarter.
"Everyone was upset because we lost," said McClure, whose team was outscored 17-7 in the final period. "It's good to play against teams that are just as good as you or better. We needed to work more as a team."
Sonora will play host to Sonora on Dec. 27 at 4 p.m.
The Wildcats lost 33-30 to the Bulldogs in the finals of the CHS tournament earlier this month.
Hawks pound Pride
Central Valley High School's freshman girls basketball team faced little resistance in beating Pitman in non-conference play last week.
The Hawks improved to 9-0 following Wednesday's 30-15 thumping of the visiting Pride.
"I'm a bit surprised we're undefeated," Central Valley post player Sophia Kumar said. "But we know how to play together. We all step up when we need it. We work hard. We're one big family."
Kumar scored a team-high 13 points versus Pitman.
The Hawks built a 16-6 lead in the opening half.
The Bulldogs suffered a stunning collapse in the final period.
Sierra outscored Ceres High 22-6 and rallied for a 47-35 victory on Dec. 17 in Manteca.
"We just had a surprisingly, bad quarter," Bulldogs head coach Jeff Borden said. "We've been a good, fourth-quarter team all year."
Perla Vargas tallied a game-high 18 points against Sierra.
Karina Ceja collected 13 points.
Colleen Mauga had four points.
Ceres High led 29-25 at the end of the third quarter.
The Bulldogs managed to score just six points the rest of the way thanks in large part to Sierra's stifling defense.
"We didn't do a very good job of breaking the press," Borden said. "We didn't take care of the ball."
Atwater tourney
Ceres High won the consolation championship at the Atwater tournament the previous week.
The Bulldogs compiled a 2-1 record.
Kinsey Ward was selected to the all-tourney team.
"She was one of the best point guards in the tournament," Borden said. "She played really strong defense."
Ceres High closed out the tournament with a 50-32 win over Delhi on Dec. 15.
Vargas tallied a team-high 19 points.
Ceja totaled 16 points.
The Bulldogs will play host to Sonora on Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Ceres High has won four of its last seven games.
The Bulldogs endured an 0-3 start to the season.
"I'm pleased," Borden said. "We are making progress."
Freshman
Ceres High School's freshman girls basketball team won its first six games, including five by blowout.
The Bulldogs put their perfect record on the line against Sierra this past week.
Ceres High battled back from a 12-point first-half deficit before losing 46-33 to the Timberwolves in non-conference play on Dec. 17 in Manteca.
The Bulldogs converted just eight of 24 free throws and were outscored 40-18 in the first, second and fourth quarters.
"That definitely hurt us along with our defense," Ceres High assistant coach Kristen McClure said. "They just need to have a little bit more confidence in themselves."
Ceres High dropped to 6-1 on the year.
Sierra improved to 7-2.
The Bulldogs placed first at the Ceres High and Grace Davis tournaments.
Mahlena O'Neal led the Bulldogs in scoring last week with 15 points.
Jessica Arreola added six points
Sierra took control early by building a 23-11 lead in the opening half.
"That's the best defensive team we've played," McClure said. "Our girls got a little flustered."
A 15-3 run helped the Bulldogs pull even at 26-all in the third quarter.
Ceres High's comeback bid fell short thank to a lackluster performance in the fourth quarter.
"Everyone was upset because we lost," said McClure, whose team was outscored 17-7 in the final period. "It's good to play against teams that are just as good as you or better. We needed to work more as a team."
Sonora will play host to Sonora on Dec. 27 at 4 p.m.
The Wildcats lost 33-30 to the Bulldogs in the finals of the CHS tournament earlier this month.
Hawks pound Pride
Central Valley High School's freshman girls basketball team faced little resistance in beating Pitman in non-conference play last week.
The Hawks improved to 9-0 following Wednesday's 30-15 thumping of the visiting Pride.
"I'm a bit surprised we're undefeated," Central Valley post player Sophia Kumar said. "But we know how to play together. We all step up when we need it. We work hard. We're one big family."
Kumar scored a team-high 13 points versus Pitman.
The Hawks built a 16-6 lead in the opening half.
