Hilmar wrestling on brink of school history

It's no secret that Hilmar High's Dave Exline has had one of his tougher seasons as a high school wrestling coach.

Even with bad shoulders, Serpa one of Turlock’s best

If Nicole Serpa decides to become a coach, she'll likely have these pieces of advice for her players about rebounding:

Turlock’s Gong takes first

Hannah Gong of Turlock High girls golf placed first at the 17th River Oaks Junior Match Play Championships at the River Oaks Golf Course in Ceres after outlasting Julian Salazar of Johansen High 6-4 in the finals.

Bulldogs pull out OT victory over visiting Golden Valley, earn share of CCC title

The Turlock High boys basketball team's one Central California Conference loss has been avenged – but it didn't come easy.

Turlock’s dual loss means crucial showdown with Pitman

The Turlock High wrestlers didn't get the win that they needed against Golden Valley High on Wednesday night, but the Bulldogs were still pleased with the results.

Off the bench, Ruesga scores 17 in first of 3 games this week

In almost every game, Turlock High's Matt Ruesga provides a unique stat. It's the kind that a high school boys basketball supporter doesn't see too often, perhaps because the amount of sacrifice it requires.

Bulldogs ready for dual meet showdown

For coach Mike Contreras, it was difficult to predict the future.

Pitman finishes with 6 placers at tourney

This time, it wasn't the Emilio Saavedra show. That's because Pitman High wrestling coach Adam Vasconcellos decided to give the freshman sensation - already considered a favorite to win the state's 103-pound title in March and the winner of numerous tournaments this season - the weekend off.

After tough week, Pitman’s Ismail leads in win

Pitman High's Zaya Ismail did not have the best week.

Against determined Pitman squad, Bulldogs pull through late

Just seconds after his team survived one of the season's closest calls, Turlock High boys basketball reserve Cristian Jinenez let out an excited "woo!" Even from his point of view, he knew this win was big. So his gesture could've also been easily taken as a sigh of relief. On Wednesday night, the Bulldogs did not thrash ...

Ruesga gets second chance with Bulldogs

Matt Ruesga is a hard-to-miss type of person.

Bulldogs win clash of league unbeatens

On Tuesday night, the Turlock High girls basketball team was thrown into an environment that the girls hadn't seen much of this season. They were inside the gym of their crosstown rivals, with hundreds of fans packing the stands - though the Turlock side might've had more people. They all roared when something significant happened.

Pitman’s Saavedra, Turlock’s Garcia hold their own

In one of the major gauges of the state tournament, last weekend's Temecula Valley Invitational allowed wrestlers from the Turlock area to go up against elite competition. Some of them did well - well enough to go home with first-place medals and respect from their peers.

Coyotes lose bite

DENAIR - On most nights, the shots would've fallen. The crowd would've erupted in cheers. And Denair High boys basketball coach Curtis Wooten would've had something else to worry about.

One game at a time

Tuesday night will be the first of three battles this season between the Turlock and Pitman high girls basketball teams. The Pride players talked with excitement earlier this week about the upcoming matchup, adding that "we're ready."

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 ...