Ceres High's new-look varsity boys basketball team dropped its season opener 70-46 to Turlock on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," coach Jason Martin said. "We've only had seven practices. They looked like they were in midseason form. We just need more work in the gym. It would be nice to play them in a month to get a measure of where we're at."
Senior forward Brett Sayad, Ceres' lone returning starter, scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the first half. Junior point guard Marcus Hilgen tallied 11 points in his varsity debut. Martino Bertolotti, Lance Hunter and Thomas Vanderlaan added six, four and two points, respectively.
Gavin Souza poured in 17 points for Turlock. He made four of his team's 10 3-pointers. Jason Moore and Efrem Harris contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The visiting Bulldogs drained six 3-pointers en route to building a 41-26 lead in the opening half. Turlock outscored Ceres 17-4 in the closing 3:46 of the second quarter. Souza had eight points, including two 3s. Harris collected five points, including one 3. Eric Wetzel and Matt Walker each made a basket. The host Bulldogs trailed 24-22 at the 3:58 mark.
"They got a lot of open looks because we were out of position," Martin said. "We had a lot of guys standing around. We just got tired. We're not in shape."
Ceres' defense held Turlock's offense scoreless for four minutes in the second half.
"That was good," Martin said.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," coach Jason Martin said. "We've only had seven practices. They looked like they were in midseason form. We just need more work in the gym. It would be nice to play them in a month to get a measure of where we're at."
Senior forward Brett Sayad, Ceres' lone returning starter, scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the first half. Junior point guard Marcus Hilgen tallied 11 points in his varsity debut. Martino Bertolotti, Lance Hunter and Thomas Vanderlaan added six, four and two points, respectively.
Gavin Souza poured in 17 points for Turlock. He made four of his team's 10 3-pointers. Jason Moore and Efrem Harris contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The visiting Bulldogs drained six 3-pointers en route to building a 41-26 lead in the opening half. Turlock outscored Ceres 17-4 in the closing 3:46 of the second quarter. Souza had eight points, including two 3s. Harris collected five points, including one 3. Eric Wetzel and Matt Walker each made a basket. The host Bulldogs trailed 24-22 at the 3:58 mark.
"They got a lot of open looks because we were out of position," Martin said. "We had a lot of guys standing around. We just got tired. We're not in shape."
Ceres' defense held Turlock's offense scoreless for four minutes in the second half.
"That was good," Martin said.
