Turlock’s Garcia is on a mission

Every time he's inside his school's wrestling room, Turlock High senior Fabian Garcia will look at the blue banner placed high on one of the walls. All the names of the program's past state medalists share a spot on the sign in yellow letters, with the champions distinguished in white.

Denair wrestling finishes with 2 league champions

At the start of the wrestling season, Denair High coach Don Helnore hoped to have champions at the Southern League Tournament, especially because the Coyotes were scheduled to host the postseason event. He had a couple wrestlers in mind who could possibly achieve the honor.

Hilmar qualifies 11 to division tourney

Coach Dave Exline and his Hilmar High wrestling team had a simple plan: Get as many wrestlers qualified as possible.

Pitman, Turlock qualify wrestlers at CCC tourney

ATWATER - This year's Central California Conference wrestling championships had a festive vibe. Some wrestlers dyed their hair blonde to perhaps highlight team camaraderie, as well as the start of the postseason. Another wrestler was spotted wearing pink socks.

Barajas inks rare feat

In the conference room at Turlock High's main office, athletic director Anthony Belew had to speak his mind to Josue Barajas, who signed his national letter of intent to play for Cal State Stanislaus men's soccer on Friday morning.

Turlock learns from shocking loss

Before her team even began league play, Turlock High girls basketball coach Salinda Mabie said the Bulldogs' undefeated streak in the Central California Conference was in jeopardy. It was a bold statement, but also a logical one.

THS wrestler dominates at Masters

At last weekend's Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament for girls wrestling, several of the coaches and wrestlers at the event stopped and watched Turlock High junior Alexia Moreno in action. It's unusual for anyone to get this kind of superstar treatment, but people in the high school wrestling community seem to think she's different.

Rivalry clashing

Held at Fitzpatrick Arena on the Cal State Stanislaus campus, the annual Denair-Turlock Christian basketball rivalry and homecoming games attracted hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of fans on Friday night. Those in attendance got to see the Turlock Christian girls team, thanks to a game-high 18 points from Kaisa Spycher and 38-6 halftime lead, beat the Denair girls 57-15. On the boys side, Clayton McDonald posted a rare triple-double ...

Few drop, some stay in latest power rankings

Despite going on respective winning streaks, a number of high school basketball teams in the Turlock area slipped down a spot or two in this week's Sac-Joaquin Section power ratings that determine playoff positions for the top 16 teams in each division, with the top eight to host the first round.

Denair’s Oei becomes a Warrior

While the nation's best high school football players made a spectacle of their signings with their respective colleges in front of TV cameras, news reporters and an ESPN audience, one Denair High athlete did it quietly.

Bulldogs reign supreme

In front of thousands of fans in one of the city's most anticipated boys basketball games, Anthony Hubbard became a legend, as well as a baseball prospect. In a can't-believe-he-did-that moment, the Turlock High senior guard nailed a full-court shot to end the third quarter.

Turlock wrestling escapes with win

When the Turlock High girls gym is packed with screaming fans, the place can feel like a coliseum with the bleachers rising well above the floor. So just imagine being one of the wrestlers in Wednesday night's crosstown rivalry dual matchup between Pitman High and Turlock High, with both teams fighting for a share of the Central California Conference title.

Bulldogs extend league winning streak vs. Pitman

Simply, the shots weren't falling. Some of them were high-percentage shots, the kind that the Turlock High girls basketball players see during warm-up drills. So coach Salinda Mabie supplied a simple message for her Bulldogs.

Saavedra’s showing helps Pride to Rumble title

It wasn't pretty, Pitman High wrestler Emilio Saavedra would later say about his path to another tournament title.

Several teams in good playoff positions

At best, Turlock High coach Doug Cornfoot thought his boys basketball team could be a No. 12 or 13 seed in the playoffs. That's because, he said, "there are so many good teams in Division I this year."

Turlock and Pitman girls prepare for championship seasons

Last year the Turlock High girls basketball team went all the way, winning the Central California Conference league championship. This year, with targets on their backs, the Bulldogs are being pursued by an athletic Pitman High team that is driven by the desire to avenge the three losses Turlock handed them a season ago. The Pride is expected to be a serious contender again this season, returning with a handful of experienced players. ...

Hilmar stifles Livingston and advances to semifinals

It was a hard hitting battle Friday night when Hilmar High School hosted Livingston High in the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Division IV football playoffs. It was a slow start for the Yellowjackets (10-2) but in the end they trounced the Wolves (6-6), 27-0 For the majority of the first quarter Livingston methodically moved the ball down the field, relying on running back Brian Perez' combination of size and strength. Despite the Yellowjackets' ...

Pitman falls to Pleasant Grove in round two

The Pitman Pride (10-2) was shut out by Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove (11-1) Friday night, falling 45-0 in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 playoffs to end their season. The Pride trailed 17-0 after the first quarter, 31-0 at the half, and 38-0 at the third at the Sheldon High School field in Sacramento. MaxPreps Freeman Computer projections had Pitman as a heavy, 42-21, underdog entering the contest. ...

Pride prepare for Pleasant Grove and quarterfinals

This Friday Pitman High School's football team will journey to Oak Ridge where they are set to face Pleasant Grove High School in the quarterfinals of the Division I CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. The Pride (10-1) will take advantage of the long trip, using the time to gather their thoughts and emotions as they focus on the task at hand; defeating the defending champion Eagles (10-1). Last week the Pride dominated West High ...

Bulldogs shutout in first round of playoffs

The Turlock High Bulldogs' (7-4) season ended Friday night as they were shut out, 38-0 by Grant High (8-3) of Sacramento in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. Grant, playing in the D1 playoffs for the first time, has won six section titles in the past and in 2008, won the CIF State Championship Bowl Game in the open division. Last year, Grant lost in the SJS D2 championships. ...

Hilmar slaughters Linden Lions

It was cold and wet Friday night when Hilmar High School's football team (9-2) hosted Linden High School (5-6) in the first round of the Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Hilmar was favored coming into the game and they lived up to expectations, defeating the Lions 41-14. The Yellowjackets scored early and often, putting up 38 points; 35 of which came in the first half. Garrett Jericoff put the Yellowjackets on the board first with ...

Pitman stomps West in first round of playoffs

Pitman High School faced West High School Thursday for the third time in Sac-Joaquin Section playoff history. The Pride entered Joe Debely Stadium with intensity, determined not to be eliminated by the Wolfpack for a third time. To ensure a win, Pitman (10-1) enlisted the talents of Brent Nelle, Kody Brackett and Andres Mendez; rotating the three running backs in an out of the game, a strategy that resulted in a slew of rushing ...

Eagles fall to Ripon Christian in valiant effort

Turlock Christian High School's volleyball team couldn't overcome Ripon Christian High in the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, losing in three straight sets (25-18, 25-17, 25-16). The Eagles tested the Southern League champions with tough play, something many didn't think would happen. "Everyone was convinced that we would be completely blasted, but that wasn't the case," head coach Keith Landmeier said. "We rattled them. This was the best we played them all year." ...

Pride volleyball stopped by St. Mary’s

Pitman High School's volleyball team expected a tough match against St. Mary's on Thursday in the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section quarterfinals and that's exactly what they got. The Central California Conference champions could not muster a win, falling 25-8, 25-10, 25-11 in their loss to the Rams. "We all knew they had dominant players," Pride head coach Kristen Pontes said. "They have every weapon you could have." The Pride entered the match ...

Pitman standout softball pitcher signs with Sonoma State

It was 3 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon and the Pitman High School Library Media Center was full of people. No one was studying, researching or reading books; they were all there to watch Janessa Guevara sign on to play softball for Sonoma State University. "This is a dream come true for her," Guevara's mother, Melissa Guevara said. "Janessa has had to work really hard to get where she's at." All of ...

Feaver coaches last game as Turlock polo falls to Oak Ridge

Wednesday marked the last time Steve Feaver would coach Turlock High School's boys water polo team. "It was my last game of water polo," Feaver said. Although the Bulldogs played well, the effort wasn't enough to overcome Oak Ridge High School as they fell 12- 9. The loss eliminates Turlock from the quarterfinals of the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs and will be remembered as the end of a career that spanned 39 seasons. ...

Davis Sr. sinks Pitman polo

Pitman High School's boys water polo team was unable to overcome second seeded Davis Senior High, losing 16-6 in the quarterfinal round of the Sac-Joaquin playoffs Wednesday at Tokay High School. Pitman's Tyler Jamieson scored in the first quarter, giving the Pride an early lead. The Blue Devils responded immediately however, scoring twice before the first quarter was over. By the time the first half came to a close Pitman had scored two more ...

Pitman breezes through first round

The first two sets were a breeze. As for the third set? The Pitman High volleyball players knew they had to stay cool against a Kennedy High team that wanted to capture just one set before a long drive back to Sacramento. The setback, however, was no big deal for the No. 6 Pride, who overcame two late deficits for the 25-8, 25-8, 25-23 win at the Pitman High gym on Tuesday ...

Bret Harte breaks Hilmar volleyball

Hilmar High School's volleyball team suffered a close loss on Tuesday as they battled Bret Harte High in Angels Camp in the first round of playoffs. The game consisted of five sets, which were all won by close margins (22-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-21, 15-9).

TC volleyball upsets higher-seed Forest Lake