Ceres High’s boys basketball team is headed in the right direction according to seventh-year head coach T.J. Walker Jr.

“We talk about where we’re trying to go as a program,” he said. “With the talent we have, I’d definitely be surprised if we didn’t make playoffs. This group can compete against anybody in this area. I haven’t felt like that in a while.”

Ceres High welcomes back three players from a season ago, including AJ Brown (Sr.), Ezekial Lopez (Sr.) and Manuel Ortega (Jr.).

The Bulldogs have 11 newcomers in Gurman Dhaliwal (Sr.), Gilbert Nuno (Sr.), Antwan Stevenson (Sr.), Somil Bonsal (Jr.), Tremond Karriem (Jr.), Jaylen Pettigrew (Jr.), Aiden Maines (Jr.), Treyvon Martinez (So.), Saragun Singh (So.), Myles Vath (So.) and Carey Mastin (Fr.) 

Nuno, a standout kicker on Ceres High’s football team, did not play this past season.

Stevenson, Bonsal, Karriem, Maines, Singh and Vath contributed at the junior-varsity level last winter.

Dhaliwal, Pettigrew and Martinez transferred from Central Valley, Gregori and Grace Davis, respectively.

Mastin was in the eighth grade a year ago.

“It’s probably one of my favorite teams I’ve coached. They work hard every day. They’re dedicated. I’m excited. We can be really good.”

Ceres High lost nine players to graduation, including starters Lebron Stallworth, Adrian Ontiveros, Ricky Stanley and Tarrell Lee-Gill.

Stallworth, Ontiveros and Stanley earned all-league honors senior year.

Stallworth was named to the WAC First Team.

Stallworth, a power forward/center who also logged playing time at point guard, averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

Ontiveros and Stanley were honorable-mention selections.

Ontiveros, a point guard, averaged 7.9 points and 4.0 assists per game.

He was one of the Bulldogs’ top defensive players.

Stanley, a shooting guard, averaged 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

“We’re young. At the end of the day, that doesn’t matter. If you’re ready, you’re ready. Our job is to play hard every single night and see what happens. I definitely think it can be interesting with this group.”

Team chemistry is one of Ceres High’s strengths.

Brown, Lopez, Ortega, Bonsal, Karriem, Maines, Singh, Stevenson, Pettigrew and Mastin all suited up for the Bulldogs’ summer-league team.

“This group is very close. They actually like each other.”

Brown, Lopez and Ortega have been named team captains.

“I selected them. They work hard every day. When they talk, everybody listens.”

Nuno, Dhaliwal, Ortega, Brown and Mastin all start.

Ceres High will try to accomplish a pair of firsts under Walker’s direction this winter.

The Bulldogs will strive to win league and go to playoffs. Ceres High made its last postseason appearance in 2016-17. The Bulldogs won their last conference title in 2010-11. Walker was an assistant coach.

Ceres High finished 13-15 fifth in the WAC with a 7-7 mark during the 2022-23 school year. Surprisingly, the Bulldogs didn’t receive an at-large playoff berth in 2021-22 despite posting a 17-11 record and taking fourth in conference play (10-5). Walker was named WAC Coach of the Year.

Ceres High will compete against Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Lathrop, Mountain House, Los Banos and Pacheco during the 2023-24 WAC season.

“We have to deal with some dogs in our league. You can’t take any nights off. Everybody plays hard.”