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.
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.
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.
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.
The game didn't come down to the last minute, Turlock Christian girls basketball coach Edwin Santiago protested afterward.
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.
It seemed like the perfect time for a comeback.
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.
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.
When going up against a boys basketball team full of giants, there's really only one thing you can do.
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.
This season, the girls basketball teams in the Turlock area will experience many different changes.
For the Turlock High girls basketball players, it's hard to forget about what transpired on Feb. 25.
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.
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.
Pitman High is number one in the Central California Conference standings with one half of the regular season complete. The Pride maintained their top position on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Buhach Colony High as they braved winds as high as 45 miles per hour. Both of Pitman's goals were scored in the second half off the foot of freshman Rayana Plancarte-the team's leading scorer with five goals. Plancarte notched her first ...
Two weeks ago Turlock High dropped its first match of the season against Merced High, 5-4. Though the loss was a shock to the Bulldogs' system, it was an understandable outcome considering two key players were missing from the lineup. Turlock entered Tuesday's home matchup against Golden Valley High eager to get back into the winner's column and keep its dream of a Central California Conference championship alive, be it outright or shared. ...
In late February Turlock High began its season of baseball by losing a one run game to Lincoln High. After shaking off the initial disappointment, the Bulldogs responded with an Atch Pedretti Tournament Championship and a perfect 6-0 start to their Central California Conference season-parts of the sum of a current 15 game win streak. Turlock continued its season of success on Monday at the Dick Windemuth Tournament and carried it all the ...
The Delhi High softball team hasn't done much losing this season. The Lady Hawks completed the first half of their Southern Athletic League season with a 5-1 record and on Friday they continued their winning ways with back-to-back victories over Turlock and Patterson High during the first day of the NorCal Tournament in Tracy. Both of Delhi's victories were driven by sophomore Alyssa Stockton who stood on the hill and racked up a ...
Turlock High's Central California Conference success was carried over to the Dick Windemuth Tournament on Monday and Tuesday. With an undefeated CCC record, the Bulldogs took on and trounced Modesto Metro Conference contenders Gregori and Enochs High 8-5 and 9-2, respectively. Monday's game against the Jaguars was a close affair as Turlock was forced to climb back from an early four run deficit and battle for the win. The close call proved to ...
It's been a victorious start to this year's Windemuth Tournament for Pitman High. After splitting games with Atwater High to mark the mid-point of the Central California Conference season, the Pride enjoyed a break from league play on Monday and Tuesday with games against Modesto and Beyer High. Pitman blasted the Panthers 11-2 on Monday before battling with the Patriots on Tuesday, walking away with a 5-2 win. Tuesday's matchup began with ...
It's spring break, a time for high school kids to relax, take a vacation, catch up with friends, and get their minds off of school work. But it's a bit different for athletes-taking time off might sound good, but rust never sleeps when it comes to competition. And so while their peers are enjoying a week away, high school athletes are practicing, and in some cases competing, to keep their game strong. <p ...
Denair High struggled through the first two days of this year's Art McRae Ceres Tournament, losing a close 4-1 game to Rio Vista High on Monday and dropping Tuesday's game against Orestimba High, 14-1. Monday's game was one of the Coyotes' closest of the season as they and the Rams played five innings sans runs. Denair finally got onto the board in the sixth inning when Avery Martinez scored on a pass ball, ...
The girls of Hilmar High were stung a week ago when they were handed their first Trans Valley League loss by none other than rival Escalon High. Despite outshooting the Cougars 12-3, the Yellowjackets were shut out, 3-0, and left with a bad taste in their mouths. Though no longer undefeated, Hilmar (5-1 TVL) resolved to bounce back and reassert itself as the team to beat in the TVL. The 'Jackets got their ...
It started with an offensive flurry on Wednesday and ended with steady pressure on Thursday, but the constant in both of Turlock High's victories over Golden Valley High this week was stingy defense. The Bulldogs (6-0 CCC) traveled to Merced Wednesday afternoon to face the Cougars (1-5 CCC) in what began as a tight matchup but soon snowballed into a lopsided offensive onslaught. Cameron Matsumura got the ball rolling in the first inning ...
Isaac Bertalotto's 2013 season as a Turlock High wrestler was a successful one, to say the least. Bertalotto ended his sophomore year with an eighth place finish in the California High School State Championships and placed himself in elite Turlock company. But, as it turns out, the young Bulldog wasn't finished. A week after becoming one of Turlock's youngest state placers, Bertalotto entered the USA/CA Wrestling State Folkstyle Tournament where he competed in ...
Turlock High's Claire Silva signed on to run for William Jessup University's cross country team on Tuesday, ensuring herself a new home once her senior year as a Bulldog comes to an end in June. Silva-a four year cross country runner-was surprised with the news that William Jessup was interested in her services during a routine campus visit when Warrior coach Parker Daniells extended the invitation. "Honestly, I never saw it coming. ...
The second Southern Athletic Meet took place at Turlock High on Saturday and for the second time Denair High walked away from Joe Debely Stadium as the most productive team in its field. Delhi High improved greatly from its first league outing, testing the Coyotes with its array of athletes, but in the end a combination of missed opportunities and no shows kept the Hawks from claiming victory. Denair was once again led ...
Stanislaus vs. Merced- that's how Friday's first ever Country Clash Meet was billed. Athletes from all over the Valley poured into Joe Debely Stadium for the inaugural event and treated spectators to high level competition. Turlock, Pitman, and Hilmar were among the schools present, but it was the Pride that emerged as the most successful of the bunch, specifically, the ladies. Pitman claimed five first place finishes in the girls' field. Kiana ...
The boys of Turlock High's tennis team remain undefeated in the Central California Conference after an 8-1 defeat of Pitman High on Thursday. The Bulldogs are now preparing for a Tuesday matchup with second place Merced High in a contest that will likely decide who will walk away with the CCC title in 2013. Turlock's path to victory over rival Pride included convincing wins from Jordan Bean, Aldair Lima, Alex Lima, Martin Castorena, ...