A lot was at stake when Ceres High’s and Beyer’s boys basketball programs faced off this past week.

A tiebreaker game determined the Western Athletic Conference’s third and final playoff berth.

The Bulldogs’ season came to an abrupt end following a 71-70 loss to the visiting Patriots on Feb. 14.

Several Ceres High players dropped to the court at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium after the final buzzer sounded.

“It’s definitely heartbreaking,” Bulldogs’ head coach T.J. Walker Jr. said.  “I’m so proud of them for how hard they competed. They were in a battle for their basketball lives.”

The Bulldogs erased a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

“We stayed positive,” Walker said. “We kept pushing. We continued to fight.”

Ceres High senior Verlis Smith’s layup evened the score at 70-70 with less than 20 seconds to play.

Giovonni Primofiore’s foul shot gave Beyer a 1-point lead with 3.4 seconds remaining. He finished with a team-high 26 points.

Bulldog senior Fernando Franco’s potential, game-winning shot from just across midcourt was off target.

“It was a crazy night,” Walker said. “It felt like a playoff game.”

Bulldog junior Adrian Ontiveros scored 31 points and buried eight treys, both career-highs, in defeat.

“He didn’t start off well,” Walker said. “I was in his ear. He’s going to have a big senior year.”

Smith collected 21 points and eight rebounds.

Junior Lebron Stallworth totaled 10 points and five rebounds while being slowed by an ankle injury sustained the previous week against Mountain House.

Franco had three points.

Junior Ricky Stanley added two points.

Senior Donivan Turley contributed on defense.

Ceres High dropped two of three games to Beyer this season.

The Patriots won the first meeting, 57-33, on Jan. 26 in Modesto.

The Bulldogs avenged the loss with a 58-57 win on Jan. 31 in Ceres.

Ceres High had two chances to lock up a playoff berth late in the season.

The Bulldogs were forced to play a tiebreaker game versus the Patriots after losing 67-46 at Mountain House. The Mustangs ended up claiming the WAC title.

“We went from possibly being a co-champ to out of the playoffs in two nights,” Walker said. 

Walker believes Ceres High should have received an at-large playoff berth.

“We were told if we didn’t win the game against Beyer we wouldn’t get in,” he said. “I still don’t understand why.”

“It’s on us,” added. “Your record is who you are.”

Ceres High posted a 17-11 overall record and finished fourth in the WAC standings (10-5).

Mountain House, Lathrop and Beyer took first, second and third, respectively.

“It’s definitely the best team I’ve coached since I’ve been here,” Walker said. “They played for each other.”

Smith, Franco and Turley will be lost to graduation.

“This is my second group of seniors,” Walker said. “They really set the tone for our program.”

Smith was a major contributor for four seasons.

“What he’s done on the basketball court is special,” Walker said. “He’s been a big part of our program.”