Turlock’s Garcia is on a mission

Every time he's inside his school's wrestling room, Turlock High senior Fabian Garcia will look at the blue banner placed high on one of the walls. All the names of the program's past state medalists share a spot on the sign in yellow letters, with the champions distinguished in white.

Denair wrestling finishes with 2 league champions

At the start of the wrestling season, Denair High coach Don Helnore hoped to have champions at the Southern League Tournament, especially because the Coyotes were scheduled to host the postseason event. He had a couple wrestlers in mind who could possibly achieve the honor.

Hilmar qualifies 11 to division tourney

Coach Dave Exline and his Hilmar High wrestling team had a simple plan: Get as many wrestlers qualified as possible.

Pitman, Turlock qualify wrestlers at CCC tourney

ATWATER - This year's Central California Conference wrestling championships had a festive vibe. Some wrestlers dyed their hair blonde to perhaps highlight team camaraderie, as well as the start of the postseason. Another wrestler was spotted wearing pink socks.

Barajas inks rare feat

In the conference room at Turlock High's main office, athletic director Anthony Belew had to speak his mind to Josue Barajas, who signed his national letter of intent to play for Cal State Stanislaus men's soccer on Friday morning.

Turlock learns from shocking loss

Before her team even began league play, Turlock High girls basketball coach Salinda Mabie said the Bulldogs' undefeated streak in the Central California Conference was in jeopardy. It was a bold statement, but also a logical one.

THS wrestler dominates at Masters

At last weekend's Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament for girls wrestling, several of the coaches and wrestlers at the event stopped and watched Turlock High junior Alexia Moreno in action. It's unusual for anyone to get this kind of superstar treatment, but people in the high school wrestling community seem to think she's different.

Rivalry clashing

Held at Fitzpatrick Arena on the Cal State Stanislaus campus, the annual Denair-Turlock Christian basketball rivalry and homecoming games attracted hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of fans on Friday night. Those in attendance got to see the Turlock Christian girls team, thanks to a game-high 18 points from Kaisa Spycher and 38-6 halftime lead, beat the Denair girls 57-15. On the boys side, Clayton McDonald posted a rare triple-double ...

Few drop, some stay in latest power rankings

Despite going on respective winning streaks, a number of high school basketball teams in the Turlock area slipped down a spot or two in this week's Sac-Joaquin Section power ratings that determine playoff positions for the top 16 teams in each division, with the top eight to host the first round.

Denair’s Oei becomes a Warrior

While the nation's best high school football players made a spectacle of their signings with their respective colleges in front of TV cameras, news reporters and an ESPN audience, one Denair High athlete did it quietly.

Bulldogs reign supreme

In front of thousands of fans in one of the city's most anticipated boys basketball games, Anthony Hubbard became a legend, as well as a baseball prospect. In a can't-believe-he-did-that moment, the Turlock High senior guard nailed a full-court shot to end the third quarter.

Turlock wrestling escapes with win

When the Turlock High girls gym is packed with screaming fans, the place can feel like a coliseum with the bleachers rising well above the floor. So just imagine being one of the wrestlers in Wednesday night's crosstown rivalry dual matchup between Pitman High and Turlock High, with both teams fighting for a share of the Central California Conference title.

Bulldogs extend league winning streak vs. Pitman

Simply, the shots weren't falling. Some of them were high-percentage shots, the kind that the Turlock High girls basketball players see during warm-up drills. So coach Salinda Mabie supplied a simple message for her Bulldogs.

Saavedra’s showing helps Pride to Rumble title

It wasn't pretty, Pitman High wrestler Emilio Saavedra would later say about his path to another tournament title.

Several teams in good playoff positions

At best, Turlock High coach Doug Cornfoot thought his boys basketball team could be a No. 12 or 13 seed in the playoffs. That's because, he said, "there are so many good teams in Division I this year."

Pitman avoids upset, clips Falcons

Pitman High's girls basketball team might have come into Tuesday night's game against Atwater High expecting an easy victory but what they got was a highly motivated group of Falcons hungry for a third win. The Pride triumphed in the end, 51-45, keeping their hunt for the CCC title alive. Atwater struck first with a three-pointer early in the first quarter. Pitman responded immediately, going to Alex DeChari (11 points) inside for a ...

Coyotes fall to Knights; Denair still in playoff hunt

Denair High knew Monday's matchup with the girls of Ripon Christian High was going to be a challenge. Instead of accepting defeat the Coyotes (5-6 Southern) challenged the Knights (10-1 Southern) early, using their defense to open up scoring opportunities and build confidence. In the end Ripon Christian was too much though, and Denair fell to the Knights 60-28. "It was size," Denair's head coach Daniel Rodriguez said. "That's what we lack is ...

Turlock, Pitman, Buhach tied for second place after Friday wins

On Friday the Bulldogs hosted second place Buhach Colony High (7-4 CCC) while the Pride hosted fourth place Merced High (3-8 CCC). Turlock's game against the Thunder exceeded the drama of Wednesday's game. After holding a two-point lead in the first quarter the Bulldogs found themselves trailing by six at the half. Buhach took advantage of Turlock's first half mistakes but by the second half the Bulldogs found their groove. After tying the ...

Bulldogs best Pride this time around

It was a low scoring affair when Turlock High and Pitman High met for their second league game of the season Wednesday night. The Bulldogs (7-4) and Pride (7-4) once again engaged in a close contest but it was Turlock who got the better of the exchanges this time, holding on for a 46-39 win. "Every time Turlock and Pitman plays it's a battle," Turlock's head coach Doug Cornfoot said. "Every time we ...

Turlock defeats Pitman for its 24th consecutive dual win

Turlock High's wrestlers earned their seventh Central California Conference title since 2002 on Wednesday with their dual victory over Pitman High. The Bulldogs (5-0 CCC) entered Pitman's gym with an undefeated league record and 23 straight dual wins behind them. The 53-22 win over the Pride (2-3 CCC) made it 24 straight dual wins for Turlock, making them the team to beat at the Section team duals today. "It always feels good, especially ...

Pitman snaps Turlock’s 8 game win streak

Pitman High's girls basketball team avenged its previous loss to Turlock High Tuesday night at home. The Pride held a lead for more than three quarters in their 52-27 win, showcasing accurate shooting and a strong team defense. Pitman trailed once, early in the first quarter, but broke two ties to eventually hold a 14-8 lead at the beginning of the second quarter. Turlock had a number of scoring opportunities and open looks ...

Rumble in the Jungle: 3 Bulldogs and a Yellowjacket finish as champions

Gustine no match for TC’s Bergman and Muller

Turlock Christian High's girls basketball team stepped onto its home court with a quiet sense of confidence Monday night when they hosted Gustine High. The Eagles (9-0 Southern) once again cruised to a lopsided victory, defeating Gustine (2-7 Southern) 72-13. The Redskins were also quiet on the court, albeit for a completely different reason. As they have so many times this season TC outclassed its opponent, utilizing a strong defensive presence to neutralize ...

Eagles still undefeated in league

It was another blow out win for Turlock Christian High's girls Thursday night when they visited the Lady Hawks of Delhi High. Per usual, the Eagles' offense lit up the boards as they continued their streak of wins, defeating an overwhelmed Delhi team 74-39. Turlock Christian (8-0 Southern) essentially had the game won in the first half. The combination of Halie Bergman (24 points) and Rebekah Muller (18 points) was too much for ...

Team effort pushes Turlock past Atwater

For the second time this week Atwater High traveled to Turlock to play a basketball game, and for the second time they came up short. This time the Falcons (0-8 CCC) faced Turlock High in a Wednesday night showdown that was completely controlled by the Bulldogs (5-3 CCC). Turlock defeated Atwater 60-36, creating a tie with Pitman High for third place in the CCC. Turlock started the game with a strong first quarter, ...

Undefeated Bulldogs one dual win away from CCC title

Turlock High (4-0 CCC) and Golden Valley (3-1 CCC) entered their Wednesday night dual with undefeated league records. With the end of conference competition just a week away the matchup was, as one assistant coach put it, "for all the marbles." In their closest league dual of the season the Bulldogs managed to edge out the Cougars 27-18, maintaining an undefeated league record and extending their consecutive dual win streak to 23. For ...

Pride drop first place standing to Cougars

Pitman High had an opportunity to maintain a number one position in the CCC Wednesday when they hosted Golden Valley High. The Pride (5-3 CCC) and Cougars (6-2 CCC) came into the game in a three way tie with Buhach Colony for first place, creating a highly competitive atmosphere for the game. Unfortunately for the Pride, they let the opportunity slip through their fingers as they lost 58-50. Pitman took an early lead ...

Sixth straight win for the lady Bulldogs

Turlock High's girls were without their team captain and leading scorer Tuesday night when they hosted Merced High. The Bulldogs (6-1 CCC) weren't fazed, however, and breezed by the Bears (2-4 CCC) 43-29. "They have the will right now; they want to win and prove that we're contenders," Turlock's head coach Salinda Mabie said. "Everyone stepped up." The Bulldogs took an early lead in the low scoring game. Halfway through the first ...

Pitman finishes the Falcons

Last Friday Pitman High followed up a huge win against rival Turlock with a disappointing loss to Merced High. On Monday the Pride were back in winning form when they hosted Atwater High. Pitman (5-2 CCC) defeated the Falcons (0-7 CCC), 65-52, in the first of three games this week. "On any given day we can be beat so we have to make sure we come with our best performance when we're on ...

Heartbreak for Hilmar in one point loss

Hilmar High hosted rival Escalon on Friday night in a game that will be remembered for some time. The last time these two schools faced each other was on a football field in Stockton for the Section championship. This time, the Yellowjackets (2-4 TVL) and Cougars (4-1 TVL) met each other on the basketball court in a back and forth matchup that was decided in the final seconds. "They were pumped up, ready ...