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Dawgs rout Panthers 59-19, equal win total from year ago
• Bulldogs improve to 1-3 in Western Athletic Conference
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Camryn Silva and Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball team cruised to a 59-19 win over visiting Pacheco in WAC play on Jan. 3. Silva led the Bulldogs with 24 points and 11 rebounds. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball team equaled its victory total from 2017-18 this past week.

The Bulldogs improved to 5-10 overall and 1-3 in the Western Athletic Conference with a 59-19 blowout of visiting Pacheco on Jan. 3 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

“That’s what I came here to do,” Ceres High first-year head coach Mike Estrada Jr. said. “I want to make the program better. We still have 10 games left. We should be able to double our win total from a year ago.”

All six of Ceres High’s players contributed, including Camryn Silva, Catryna Marquez, Mia Rodriguez, Celeste Leon, Courtney Ford and Lauren Gonzalez. 

“That’s the style I enforce with this team—getting everybody comfortable in any situation they’re put in,” Estrada said. 

Silva tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal versus the Panthers.

“Camryn sets the tone for the team,” Estrada said. “She’s always working hard. She leads by example. If we need her to take over a game, she can.”

Marquez had 11 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Rodriguez had 10 points, six assists, four steals and three rebounds.

Leon had eight points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Ford had five points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Gonzalez had one point, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing streak and earned their first conference victory of the season.

“The girls have bought into the system,” Estrada said. “The adjustment period is over. We’ve built really good chemistry. We’re all on the same page.”

Ceres High forced 19 turnovers.

“We work really hard on defense in practice,” Estrada aid. 

The Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 19-2 in the opening quarter en route to building an insurmountable 47-6 lead during the first half.

“The effort was there the whole game,” Estrada said. “We just have to execute a little better.”

Ceres High will play at Grace Davis this Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

“There are a lot of winnable games left,” Estrada said. “We might be in the playoff picture at the end.”