Raiders crush Coyotes in title game

DENAIR - It was as if the scoreboard was playing mind games with the Denair High boys basketball team. In one moment, the Coyotes were up by nearly double-digits. Then the next moment, they were down by a bunch.

Washington’s big scoring effort leads to Pride win

After almost everyone walked out of the Pitman High gym and into Friday night's rain, there was a candid moment between the school's athletic director, Dave Walls, and the school's top girls basketball player.

Coyotes run wild

Led by Denair High guard Clayton McDonald's 17 points, the Coyotes defeated Central Valley High 68-50 in the semifinal game of the Denair High Tournament late Friday night to earn a spot in today's tournament championship game against Central Catholic at 8 p.m.

Bulldogs lose in dramatic fashion

Surprisingly, no one affiliated with the Turlock High boys basketball program closed his or her eyes in a sequence that appeared doomful. They watched in awe and anticipation, as the ball was repeatedly batted against the backboard and rim like a game of handball.

Eagles fall short in own tournament finale

The game didn't come down to the last minute, Turlock Christian girls basketball coach Edwin Santiago protested afterward.

Despite late rally, Turlock survives to earn rematch with Modesto Christian

There was just one team that stood between the Turlock High boys basketball players and a rematch with Modesto Christian in the championship game of the 34th annual Frank Godinez Tournament.

Pride fall to Laguna Creek

It seemed like the perfect time for a comeback.

It’s still early, but area wrestlers already thinking about state

For most high school wrestlers from the Turlock area, the goal every season is to take that drive down Highway 99 toward Bakersfield. It's there that all the state's best congregate for the CIF Championships in early March.

Denair wrestlers challenge each other in practice

Two years ago, Nick LaFrancis achieved something rare for a Denair High wrestler. He qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament, which is just one step from the elusive CIF State Championships in Bakersfield. Even if he didn't win a medal or a single match, making it that far is an unforgettable experience.

Pitman speed tops taller team

When going up against a boys basketball team full of giants, there's really only one thing you can do.

Hilmar starts, ends strong to best Waterford

As the Hilmar girls basketball team started their season by facing Waterford High Thursday night, first year coach Don Inman paced the sidelines, afraid to celebrate his birthday until the final buzzer.

Basketball teams go into season with hopes of success

This season, the girls basketball teams in the Turlock area will experience many different changes.

Bulldogs invest in tough preseason

For the Turlock High girls basketball players, it's hard to forget about what transpired on Feb. 25.

Turlock basketball pulls through for season-opening win

MODESTO - The way the game started, it was safe to assume that the Turlock boys basketball team was going to give the few dozen fans inside the cold Panther Palace gym on the Modesto High campus reasons to go home early.

After one season at varsity, junior Pitman guard looks to guide Pride

Zach Olsen is the type of high school kid who seems to have a smile painted on his face at all times. He's also the type that will ask a stranger how he's doing - and genuinely want to know the person's well being. But the Pitman High boys basketball player will admit that he wasn't in the most ideal situation last season.

Denair starts strong in own tournament

It wasn't looking good for Denair's boys basketball team (2-6) Thursday night when they faced Cristo Rey High (1-7) in the first round of their own tournament. The Trojans looked to be on their way to the second round after a dominate first half, but a Coyote comeback dashed their plans. Denair snatched the win from Cristo Rey by a score of 76-68 and advanced to the second round where they played Hughson High. ...

Hilmar loses close match to Hughson

Hilmar High's wrestling team had to overcome two obstacles Wednesday night in their first dual of the season, a tough Hughson High team and a lack of preparation. With only a week of practice and conditioning Hilmar came up short, losing 33-39. "Conditioning, we just don't have it yet," head coach Howard Tremble said of his team's performance. "But if we're losing by six points and I've only had my kids for seven ...

Hilmar defeats Denair with outstanding shooting

It was a dominate performance by the Yellowjackets Tuesday night when Hilmar High (4-3) traveled to Denair High (1-6) to face the Coyotes. Hilmar, led by Jesse Burke, outscored Denair 74-53. It was Hilmar's most productive night of the season. Hilmar's quick defense and outstanding shooting performance was too much for the Coyotes to handle. "That's one of the best shooting performances I've seen in a long time," Denair's head coach Daniel ...

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 ...