Central Valley’s boys basketball team earned another hard-fought victory against crosstown-rival Ceres High.
The Hawks escaped with a 58-52 win over the shorthanded Bulldogs in Western Athletic Conference play on Feb. 14 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
Central Valley secured a playoff berth—its first since 2016-17—on the final day of the regular season.
“The kids were focused,” Hawks’ head coach Mike Rodriguez said. “They knew what was at stake. We knew if we played like we’re capable of, we’d be in a good position to win. Ceres High played a good game. We matched their intensity.”
“We knew what we had to do to win,” Bulldogs’ leader T.J. Walker Jr. said. “We were right there. The second quarter was the difference in the game. We had some turnovers.”
Central Valley improved to 16-12 overall and finished in third place in the WAC standings with a 10-4 record.
Ceres High compiled a 10-8 overall record and placed sixth in conference play with a 5-9 mark this winter.
“We had some experience with guys returning from last year,” Rodriguez said. “We had a good mix of everything.”
“It was a tough year,” Walker said. “I got to look in the mirror as a coach and figure out what I can do better.”
Hawk Emmanuel Carranza scored a team-high 16 points against the Bulldogs last week.
Jace Mclennon added 13 points.
Caden Mendonca had eight points.
Tay Galton led Ceres High with 17 points.
Cashton Almeida added 11 points.
Somil Bansal had nine points.
Ceres High competed shorthanded versus Central Valley as starters Manuel Ortega and Tremond Karriem and reserve Anthony Estrada did not play because of a coach’s decision.
Treyvon Martinez was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Ceres High led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The Hawks outscored the Bulldogs 20-10 in the second quarter. Central Valley took advantage of six Ceres High turnovers.
The Bulldogs made the contest interesting in the fourth quarter.
“It was close the entire game,” Rodriguez said. “They never went away.”
Central Valley topped Ceres High twice in front of large crowds this season.
The Hawks won the first meeting, 54-50.
Central Valley edged Ceres High by just six points at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium last week.
“The kids have never experienced that atmosphere,” Rodriguez said. “It’s totally different. It’s a smaller gym. It feels like the fans are sitting on top of you.”
Central Valley would have been eliminated from playoff consideration had it lost to Ceres High and Johansen upset Grace Davis during the final week of WAC play.
Central Valley took care of business and Grace Davis defeated Johansen.
“We haven’t made playoffs in a long time,” Rodriguez said. “We’re right where we want to be. I can’t remember the last time we won 10 league games. We’ve had a good season.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ceres High’s girls basketball team thrilled its home fans with a dominant showing versus crosstown-rival Central Valley during the final week of the regular season.
The Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoff-bound Bulldogs dominated from start to finish in posting a 52-30 victory over the Hawks on Senior Night last Thursday.
Ceres High blew a 17-point lead en route to losing its previous game 58-51 at Beyer.
“Our focus was to get back to playing our game--run the floor, rebound and play aggressive defense,” Ceres High third-year head coach Megan McGill said.
The Bulldogs improved to 21-7 overall and finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 10-4 record.
Ceres High matched its win total for the previous season.
The Hawks amassed a 7-21 overall record and placed last in the WAC standings with a 1-13 mark.
Central Valley more than doubled its victory total from a year ago under first-year head coach Derrick Goblirsch’s tutelage.
“Derrick has done a really good job with the program,” McGill stated. “I’ve seen growth at all three levels.”
Nine Bulldog players scored against the Hawks this past week.
Sovannary Carter led Ceres High with 17 points, seven rebounds, one block and one steal.
Arrayah Stallworth had 11 points, four rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks.
Lilly Staggs had six points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Hailey Tsurui had six points and two assists.
Persia Rochell had three points, three rebounds, one block and one steal.
Bri Tsurui had three points, two rebounds and one assist.
Mariah Renteria had two points, four rebounds, four steals and one assist.
Nehemiah Valenzuela had two points, four rebounds, two steals and one assist.
Makaela Brown had two points, two rebounds and two steals.
“We’re very deep in our level of talent,” McGill said. “You can’t stop just one player.”
Valenzuela, Hailey Tsurui and Bri Tsurui, Ceres High’s three upperclassmen, were recognized before their final home game.
Valenzuela, Hailey Tsurui and Bri Tsurui were all two-year varsity contributors.
They also competed at the lower-levels as sophomores and freshmen.
“It was really cool to watch them develop as players,” McGill said. “I actually got to coach them their freshmen year on JV.”
The much-improved Hawks will lose three players to graduation, including Marion Dennison, Tanveer Kaur and Julyanna Valencia.
