Ceres High School's varsity boys water polo team experienced a rebirth last year thanks in large part to its talented duo.

Zachary Jones and Terry Brogdon totaled 95 goals as the Bulldogs captured the Western Athletic Conference championship and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

Jones, a junior, and Brogdon, a senior, will fill big roles again while trying to lead Ceres High to a repeat performance.

"We have the two best players in the league," said Ceres High's Tracy Bull, 2012 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. "They make my job easier."

A role player with the Bulldogs as a freshman, 6-foot-3 Jones and his left arm were unstoppable in the pool in 2012.

Zachary was voted WAC MVP.

He led Ceres High in scoring (51 goals) and steals (50).
Jones set personal records while capturing a bronze medal in the 50 free and finishing eighth in the 100 free at the Sac-Joaquin Section Frosh-Soph Boys Swimming Championships in May. He took first in the 100 free for the second straight year and placed fourth in the 100 breast during the WAC varsity finals.

"The thing that makes Zach better than everyone else is he's so fast," Bull said. "He gives himself so many scoring opportunities because of his speed. He's impossible to stop one-on-one. You can't cover him. He's a lefty with a quick release."

Jones has developed into one of Ceres High's all-time greatest offensive threats.

Recent Bulldog standouts were Nick Serratos (class of 2011) and Joey Rossi (class of 2006).

Serratos holds Ceres High's career and single-season scoring marks. He scored 178 times on his way to earning the Valley Foothill Conference MVP award his senior year and totaled 318 goals for his career.

Nick shattered Joey's records. Rossi totaled 256 goals. He earned first-team, all-Modesto Metro Conference honors twice.

"Zach was reluctant to ask for and shoot the ball his freshman year," Bull said. "He grew into the role of being a leader. He's very humble. He has a huge upside."

Brogdon, Ceres High's best all-round player, had 44 goals and was a force on defense last year.

Six-foot-6 Terry was selected to the WAC First Team.

"He's fast and physical," Bull said. "He has a big arm. He's very intimidating. He's the enforcer on the team. Terry's not afraid to get in your face. That's not Zach's personality. He's easy going."

Ceres High made history last season by winning its first league title since 2004.

The Bulldogs, 7-1 in the WAC standings, also returned to the playoffs following a one-year absence.

Ceres High finished ahead of Pacheco (5-3), Los Banos (4-4), Central Catholic (3-5) and Livingston (0-8) in the conference standings.

"Clearly, we feel we're the favorites to win league," Bull said. "Anything less is a failure."

Opponents will have their hands full this fall while battling Ceres High's co-captains.

"They're both such good players," Bull said. "They're so dominant. That's a big advantage for us."