Girls Soccer Preview 2010

Hilmar Yellowjackets 2009 record: 16-6 overall, 11-0-4 WAC Head coach: Louie Bettencourt Top returners: Haylee Bettencourt (forward), Riley Fielder (goalkeeper), Monica Pires (defender), Nina Arrigale (defender), Lexie Cico (forward) Top newcomers: Alyssa McFaddin (forward), Morgan McFaddin (midfielder/forward) Outlook: There's no question that the Yellowjackets' main objective is not only reaching the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game for the third time in four years, but also winning it all. Last season's attempt was short, thanks ...

With a number of returners, Turlock soccer gears up for another deep run

The girls soccer season didn't necessary begin for Turlock High on Feb. 27, when the Bulldogs faced Central Valley High in a nonconference game. No, it started months before that -- going all the way back to fall of last year.

SWIMMING AND DIVING PREVIEW 2010

Pitman Pride 2009 record: 3-3 CCC for boys; 6-0 CCC for girls Head coach: Drew Clute (boys, second year), Anne Cornell (girls, seventh year) Assistants: Justin Jones (boys), Doug Jones (girls) Key returners: Ian Roos, Michael Funk and Myles Garton for boys. Brittany Funk, Lexie McCaskill, Stephanie Young, Kyndel Fletcher for girls. Key newcomers: Julien McClellan and Brian Austin for boys. Kamrin Waite for girls. Outlook: The Pride boys have a trio of returners who ...

BOYS GOLF PREVIEW 2010

Turlock Bulldogs 2009 record: 12-0 CCC, 17-2 overall Head coach: Ben Culala (seventh year) Assistant: Jason Boswell Key returners: Paul Smith, Travis Souza, Jeff Chapman Key newcomer: Tyler Gomes Outlook: The Bulldogs lost their first league match in 60 tries earlier this week, but coach Ben Culala says his team will still be a Central California Conference contender. In fact, they have won six consecutive league titles. But Culala expects it to be a little ...

BOYS TENNIS PREVIEW 2010

Pitman Pride 2009 record: 12-0 CCC, 22-5 overall Head coach: Jeff Hayes (fifth year) Assistant: Brian Davis Key returners: Michael Davis, Morcos Boutros, Dillon Weddle, Tiki Brown, Alex Leven, Jacob Bolloli, Jason Moitoso Outlook: Coach Jeff Hayes welcomes a lot of new faces but the goals are all the same for the Pride, who reached the finals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I postseason with a boatload of talent and experience. There's still some ...

With a determined coach, Hilmar dives into swimming

HILMAR - What Hilmar High coach Howard Tremble is doing is what history books are made for: He's building a sports program from the ground up.

TC junior golfer feels no pressure against the boys

Kathleen Rojas was first introduced to golf at age 3, not long after learning how to walk. About a decade and a half later, she's reached an apex. "Personally, I don't think I've played this well before in my life," she said. It could be viewed as a sort of warning for her competitors, especially because it comes from a teenage girl who regularly plays against the opposite sex. Rojas is one of two female ...

Three local wrestlers return with state medals

Five area wrestlers competed in the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield last weekend and all of them came back to Turlock with plenty of stories to tell. But none returned with the ultimate story.

TC girls fall in state tournament opener

The Turlock Christian girls basketball team ended their season with a 36-74 loss to St. Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda Tuesday evening, making their exit from the first round of the 2010 California Interscholastic Federation Division V State Championship.

Turlock’s historic season ends in a blaze of athleticism

OAKLAND - There were dunks almost on command. There was a 3-point showcase by various shooters. And there was athleticism the Turlock High boys basketball players rarely, if ever, witnessed and competed against back home.

Prep Baseball Previews 2010

PITMAN PRIDE 2009 record: 16-11 overall, 7-5 CCC Head coach: Mick Tate (8th year) Assistants: Eric Reza, Andy Walker, John Acha, Scott Gehl, Spencer Snodgrass Key returners: Hayden Baldwin (INF/P), Colton Risley (INF), Michael Melendez (OF/P), Kirk Renshaw (OF), Brandon Lewis (INF/OF/P) Key newcomers: AJ Derr (C/INF), Steven Kha (C/INF), Zach Olsen (OF), Clay Cozzitorto (INF), Shea Patterson (OF/P) Outlook: The most troubling thing about this season's Pride is their pitching. There's not much to ...

Turlock’s Kramer a solid contributor for USA Baseball

The 16-under U.S. National Team is showcasing its dominance in the World Youth Baseball Championships in Taichung, Taiwan. It's been convincing win after convincing win.

Local water polo teams make a splash

The Modesto-Stanislaus 18-under water polo players and coaches had a number of things they wanted to achieve this season. For the most part, they were successful.

Turlock’s Kramer survives hellish week to achieve a dream

Imagine if you were told to think and do just one thing, with just a 50-percent chance of making it all worthwhile.

Turlock junior makes USA team

Kevin Kramer had a good-enough showing at the USA Baseball trials to make the cut for the U16 National Team late Friday night.

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 ...