Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball team won three of five games in a six-day span last week.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” head coach Mike Estrada Jr. said. 

The Bulldogs enjoyed a positive start to the Western Athletic Conference season on Dec. 17.

Ceres High held on for a 50-45 win over the visiting Beyer Patriots at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

Sophomore Celeste Leon led the Bulldogs (8-5, 1-0) in scoring with 14 points.

“When she sees a few shots go in, they keep falling because her confidence gets better,” Estrada said. 

Mya Robinson added 12 points.

Lysaida Munoz, Thanya Gonzalez, Mia Rodriguez, Catryna Marquez and Melannie Gonzalez chipped in with seven, six, five, four and two points, respectively.

Down 8-0, Ceres High scored 20 unanswered points to end the first period.

“I wasn’t too concerned,” Estrada said. “I knew we’d get back in the game. We picked up our energy level. Our defense got a lot better. That changed the game around. Everyone contributed.”

The Bulldogs played short-handed late in the fourth quarter.

“We finished the game with just five players,” Estrada said. “We had two girls foul out.”

Ceres High compiled a 1-2 record at the Livingston Tournament.

Ceres High suffered a 37-36 loss while battling Downey on Dec. 21.

Marquez finished with 12 points. 

Robinson added 10 points.

Rodriguez and Leon each had five points. 

Munoz totaled four points.

Ceres High defeated Escalon 56-36 on Dec. 20.

Munoz paced the Bulldogs with 15 points.

Leon totaled 14 points.

Marquez netted 10 points.

Rodriguez and Robinson added nine and four points, respectively.

Thanya Gonzalez and Gurmenjit Bahia each had two points.

Ceres High lost 53-47 to Sierra on Dec. 19.

Munoz scored a team-high 12 points.

Robinson, Thanya Gonzalez, Marquez, Leon and Rodriguez had nine, eight, seven, six and five points, respectively.

Visiting Ceres High coasted to a 59-38 victory over crosstown-rival Central Valley on Dec. 16.

Rodriguez poured in a game-high 19 points.

Munoz added 13 points.

Thanya Gonzalez tallied 10 points.

Robinson, Leon and Marquez had seven, six and four points, respectively.

The Bulldogs (8-5, 1-0) have already matched last season’s win total.

“We set really high expectations,” Estrada said. “The girls are all starting to buy into what I’m trying to teach. They’re learning new things every day. I think we have a really good chance at being one of the top teams in league.”