Ceres High's varsity girls varsity girls basketball team appeared headed for a blowout victory against host Big Valley Christian.

Hurt by sloppy play, the Bulldogs nearly squandered an 11-point lead and were forced to escape with a 46-41 victory over the Lions on Dec. 13 in Modesto.

"This win feels like a loss," head coach Chad Hammond said.

Ceres High's Camryn Silva tallied 13 points, two rebounds and two steals versus Big Valley Christian.

Shelby Veuve scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Kaylee Holloway had seven points, three rebounds and one steal.

Harmen Bahia had seven points and two rebounds.

Rayohna Sagapolu had five points, six rebounds and one steal.

Leena Bassi had two points and one rebound.

Natalia Cortez had two points.

The Bulldogs committed 18 turnovers, many unforced, against the Lions.

"We need to be more secure, careful and fundamental with the ball," Hammond said.

The Bulldogs accounted for the first 11 points of the game.

Big Valley Christian cut the deficit to 43-39 with 1:21 to play.

"There was a little anxiety," Hammond said. "The momentum shifted. They would have beat us if they made their free throws."

The Lions are coached by Ceres High grads/sisters Jessica and Heather Mazza. Jessica and Heather helped lead the Bulldogs to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II championship during the 2004-05 school year.

Ceres High improved to 7-5 this past week after claiming the consolation title at the Livingston Tournament. "I didn't know what to expect going into the tournament," Hammond said. "These are teams that aren't in our league."

The Bulldogs won back-to-back games after losing by blowout to Merced.

"We bounced back," Hammond said. "The girls played less individual ball and it paid off."

Ceres High topped Chavez 48-41 for fifth place on Saturday.

Holloway led the Bulldogs with 15 points, eight rebounds and one steal.

Sagapolu had 12 points and 16 rebounds and four steals.

Cortez had nine points and one rebound.

Silva had four points and eight rebounds.

Bahia had four points and one rebound.

Veuve had two points and nine rebounds.

Ayannah O'Neal had two points.

Ceres High defeated Riverbank 46-22 on Friday.

Silva led the Bulldogs with 12 points, eight rebounds and one steal.

Veuve had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Holloway had six points, four rebounds and one steal.

Cortez had six points, one rebound and four steals.

Sagapolu had four points, three rebounds and two steals.

O'Neal had four points and two rebounds.

Bassi had two points and four rebounds.

Angelina Ursua had two points and two rebounds.

Ceres High committed a season-high 31 turnovers in losing 58-26 to Merced on Thursday.

Cortez led the Bulldogs with 10 points, three rebounds and one steal.

Veuve had five points and eight rebounds.

Sagapolu had four points, 10 rebounds and one steal.

Silva had three points, four rebounds and two steals.

Leena Bassi had two points.

O'Neal had one point, one rebound and two steals.