Led by all-tourney selections Jode Johnson and Brittany Lusk, Ceres High's varsity girls basketball team finished in second place at the Ceres Lions Club Tournament last week at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
"They were our most consistent players," Bulldogs coach Shawna Nunes said. "Brittany did a good job of getting us into our offenses and defenses. Jode dominated the boards. And she's still just learning the game. No one can stop her except herself."
Ceres High (4-5) posted a 2-1 record at its home tournament.
The Bulldogs fell 66-37 to Bret Harte in the championship game on Saturday.
Senior center Kaylee Brown paced Ceres High with 13 points. Johnson, Amy Raymond and Lusk tallied eight, seven and six points, respectively. Aimee Gunzenhauser added two points. Stephanie Yankovich had one point.
The Bulldogs were outscored 38-12 after intermission, including 22-3 in the third quarter. The Bullfrogs relied on their pressure defense.
"None of us were happy with the second half," Nunes said. "We didn't handle what they threw at us very well. It was a learning experience."
Ceres High's two victories came against much-improved Hughson and Atwater teams.
"We knew it wasn't going to be a cakewalk," Nunes said.
The Bulldogs stormed to 34-21 lead and held on for a 43-37 victory over the Huskies on Friday.
Brown poured in a game-high 15 points. Lusk netted 10 points. Johnson and Jamie Beck both scored eight points. Gunzenhauser chipped in two points.
Johnson tallied 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in a 45-37 victory over Atwater in the opening round on Thursday.
Brown had 11 points. Lusk scored six points. Breann Lomeli and Lilibeth Jaimes contributed three points each. Gunzenhauser added one point.
The Bulldogs outscored the Falcons 25-18 in the second half.
Ceres High will wrap up its preseason schedule with games against visiting Livingston today (5 p.m.) and host Bear Creek on Dec. 28 (1 p.m.).
"They were our most consistent players," Bulldogs coach Shawna Nunes said. "Brittany did a good job of getting us into our offenses and defenses. Jode dominated the boards. And she's still just learning the game. No one can stop her except herself."
Ceres High (4-5) posted a 2-1 record at its home tournament.
The Bulldogs fell 66-37 to Bret Harte in the championship game on Saturday.
Senior center Kaylee Brown paced Ceres High with 13 points. Johnson, Amy Raymond and Lusk tallied eight, seven and six points, respectively. Aimee Gunzenhauser added two points. Stephanie Yankovich had one point.
The Bulldogs were outscored 38-12 after intermission, including 22-3 in the third quarter. The Bullfrogs relied on their pressure defense.
"None of us were happy with the second half," Nunes said. "We didn't handle what they threw at us very well. It was a learning experience."
Ceres High's two victories came against much-improved Hughson and Atwater teams.
"We knew it wasn't going to be a cakewalk," Nunes said.
The Bulldogs stormed to 34-21 lead and held on for a 43-37 victory over the Huskies on Friday.
Brown poured in a game-high 15 points. Lusk netted 10 points. Johnson and Jamie Beck both scored eight points. Gunzenhauser chipped in two points.
Johnson tallied 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in a 45-37 victory over Atwater in the opening round on Thursday.
Brown had 11 points. Lusk scored six points. Breann Lomeli and Lilibeth Jaimes contributed three points each. Gunzenhauser added one point.
The Bulldogs outscored the Falcons 25-18 in the second half.
Ceres High will wrap up its preseason schedule with games against visiting Livingston today (5 p.m.) and host Bear Creek on Dec. 28 (1 p.m.).
