Masters of their fates

STOCKTON - Fabian Garcia and Emilio Saavedra are two different wrestlers from two different sides of Turlock.

Eagles headed to semis

For the second time in two games, the Turlock Christian girls basketball players started out slowly.

Season’s over for Bulldogs

It was a frustrating sight for fans of Turlock High girls basketball to watch their team fail to capitalize on wide-open layups and other easy opportunities. They groaned and tried their best to spread words of encouragement from the stands of Bulldog Arena.

Denair’s playoff run ends in opening round

In its first playoff game in four years, the Denair High boys basketball team traveled to Sacramento to play Capital Christian High. Though the Coyotes produced a good effort, the ride home must've been tough to get through.

Bulldogs finally get over first-round hump

For the Turlock High girls basketball team, the first round of the playoffs has been somewhat of a prison sentence.

Farrar’s triple-double leads Eagles in playoff victory

Turlock Christian High senior guard Molly Farrar understood the circumstances. Though her girls basketball team was favored to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V first-round game, she didn't let that slip into her head.

Lady Pride clipped by Eagles

The Pitman Pride girls' basketball team fell 64-51 to the McNair Eagles Tuesday night at The Lion's Den in the first round of the Division 1 Sac-Joaquin section playoffs.

Bulldogs to host big, athletic squad

Before the last third of the league season commenced, coach Doug Cornfoot issued a challenge to his Turlock High boys basketball players. He wanted them to take every game as a do-or-die situation.

Perez, Saavedra lead Pride to runner-up finish

MODESTO - With his face still covered in sweat and the bruises on his body still fresh, Pitman High senior wrestler Andrew Perez made an announcement just outside of the Gregori High gym, where this season's Sac-Joaquin Section Division I South Championships took place on Saturday.

Bulldogs qualify four for Section tournament

MODESTO - Once he took off his trademark hat and his warm-ups, it didn't take very long for Turlock High senior wrestler Fabian Garcia to be crowned a three-time champion at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I South Championships on Saturday night.

Bulldogs survive Pitman in season finale

Anthony Hubbard got the ball on the left wing, right in front of the Turlock High boys basketball team bench. He was about to take a shot he and his team aren't known for, all while in front of another packed Bulldog Arena crowd for Friday night's crosstown rivalry game against Pitman High.

Turlock girls top rival to notch fourth straight title

The most important thing the Turlock High girls basketball team wanted from Thursday night's crosstown rivalry game against Pitman High was to not give in and settle. An outright Central California Conference title was on the line for the Bulldogs, who did not want anything less. "You walk in here CCC champs," Turlock coach Salinda Mabie told ...

Free throws, deep bench help Turlock triumph over Golden Valley

MERCED - To say the least, they were ready for this moment.

Hilmar hopes win enough for playoff spot

HILMAR - In order to make the playoffs for the third consecutive time, all the Hilmar High boys basketball team had to do was stop an Escalon High team that had beaten the Yellowjackets earlier in the season by double-digits.

Pitman, Turlock prepare for rivalry meeting

With the third and final release of the Sac-Joaquin Section Basketball Power Ratings, the age-old sports mantra that "every game counts" is a hard-nosed reality for both Pitman High and Turlock High girls basketball teams.

Eagles rally to defeat Pitman

It was as close as it could get Monday night when Pitman High's girls basketball team hosted Turlock Christian High. The Pride controlled most of the game but with 1:00 left in regulation the score was tied, 40-40, as the two teams engaged in a back and forth battle for the win. The deciding blows were dealt by TC's Halie Bergman who nailed a three point shot and pair of free throws in ...

Valley takes home Godinez championship

The 35th annual Frank Godinez basketball tournament almost ended with a showdown of local rivals, Turlock and Pitman High. Although both teams played well in the tournament they both lost in the second round, setting up a championship game between Davis High (6-4) and Valley High (6-1) on Saturday. When it was all said and done, Valley emerged from the tournament as champions, defeating Davis 71-62. Even though the Bulldogs (3-2) and Pride ...

Six pins lead to a Turlock win

Confidence is contagious. It motivates and inspires athletes to perform to their expectations, and sometimes beyond. Such was the case Wednesday night when Turlock High's wrestling team hosted the Los Banos Tigers in its first home dual of the season. The Bulldogs (10-1), fresh off an impressive showing at the Larry Nelson dual tournament in Vacaville, continued their winning ways with a dominate performance, beating the Tigers (1-1) 49-18. "After the performance ...

Pitman unable to match Spartan intensity in second round

The boys from Pitman High's basketball team handed Ceres High a first round loss at the Godinez tournament on Thursday, 55-39. The Pride, led by a solid defensive effort, proved to be too much for the Bulldogs as Pitman led the entire game. "I think were solid on defense," assistant coach Undrea Walker said. "We held an opponent under 45(points) for the last three or four games." Pitman's defense was complimented ...

Turlock comes close, but loses to Valley in second round

Turlock High's boys basketball team entered the first round of the Frank Godinez tournament on Thursday facing a Beyer High team that had only won two games in the past two seasons. Most expected the Bulldogs to pull off an easy victory and cruise into the second round. Although Turlock defeated the Patriots by a score of 55-43, the win was anything but easy. "They gave Pitman fits so I knew they ...

Lack of preparation leads to a Hilmar loss

With only one practice that included all of its players, Hilmar High's boys basketball team entered Tuesday's game against Atwater High under-prepared, yet enthusiastic. Their enthusiasm wasn't enough to finish the Falcons, however, as they lost 58-42. "I think if we had the three weeks with everybody prepared we'd be in a better situation," head coach Danny Freitas said. "The players aren't in basketball mode; they're still in football mode." Many of ...

Denair, Hilmar wrestling teams preparing for success

It's a new season for Hilmar and Denair high's wrestling teams. Time to lace up their shoes, snap on their head gears and get ready to grapple with anyone who steps on the mat. The Coyotes had a chance to test their mettle on Monday when they faced Hughson High. Although they lost, they still had a chance to earn some much needed experience. "We're a real young team, mostly freshman this ...

Yellowjackets unable to fend off Raiders

Hilmar High's girls basketball team entered Monday's home game against Central Catholic with high energy and expectations to win. Unfortunately, the Raiders were able to keep the Yellowjackets at bay, claiming victory 51-38. The matchup was everything one would expect from an early season game. Players from both teams made simple mistakes, fouls were common and, at moments, the offensive timing seemed out of synch. "We need to work on our fundamentals ...

Denair, Hilmar and TC girls hit the court running

Fans of high school girl's basketball should be ready for an exciting season this year. Denair, Hilmar and Turlock Christian High, in particular, have put together quality teams as they begin their chase for the playoffs. Of the three teams, TC boasts the most height on their roster. Marley Burton, 6 feet, 2 inches, serves as the Eagles' centerpiece on offense, using her size and skill to disrupt opposing players and open up ...

Playoffs goal for small school teams

The 2011-12 high school basketball season is in full swing. Players are putting in time and effort in school gyms across the Valley, practicing and preparing for successful seasons. Denair, Hilmar and Turlock Christian High's players are no different. All three teams have already played in at least one game in the past week, testing the state of their teams and gauging what areas still need to be perfected. Although there are plenty ...

Making history

Pride wrestling hungry for a championship

For the past two years Pitman High's wrestling team's ambition of becoming league champions has been thwarted by Golden Valley High. In 2010, the Pride finished second in the Central California Conference as the Cougars took home the title. Last year, Pitman and Turlock finished the season with a tie as Golden Valley once again ended their season as champions. This season, with the return of head coach Chris Wolfley, Pitman looks to a ...

Bulldog wrestlers aim for another league title

Turlock High wrestling has a documented history of success, winning nine league championships since 2000. The past two years haven't gone so well for Turlock, however, as they watched Golden Valley High walk away with the league title. The Bulldogs enter this season determined to bring the title back to Turlock and restore its winning ways. "Our goal usually doesn't change much. Our goal is to always win the league championship," head coach ...

Hilmar to challenge Escalon in Section championships

Hilmar High's football team entered its 14 semifinal playoff game on Friday, hosting a Liberty Ranch High team that, before this year, had never played in a playoff game. Whether it was the experience or the hard hits, the Yellowjackets (11-2) propelled themselves to the section championship with a final score of 37-7; proving that history does indeed repeat itself. Liberty Ranch (9-5) came into the game with an impressive backfield. Its go-to ...

Pride, Bulldog boys teams aim high

It's that time of the year again - turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and the beginning of the high school basketball season. For Turlock and Pitman high's boys basketball teams it's a season of growth. This year a young and inexperienced Bulldog team looks to defend their league championship from a year ago. Turlock's team boasts only two returning starters from last season's championship run. The rest of the team consists of former ...