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.

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 ...