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.
Turlock High's baseball team has two more players who have secured a future in the sport. Senior Nick Voumard and junior Dakota Edwards signed their respective letters of intent on Wednesday to play for California State University, Stanislaus and the University of Bridgeport. "I'm really happy for them; it's a great opportunity. They're going to keep improving and getting better," Turlock's head coach Mark de la Motte said. "I'm looking forward to following ...
Turlock High's boys tennis returned to winning form after back-to-back losses to Merced High and Golden Valley High in its last two matches. The Bulldogs defeated Pitman High 9-0 at home on Thursday, securing a second place league finish. After winning their final match of the regular season in straight sets, the Bulldogs finished with an 8-2 record. The Bulldogs' one and two doubles have yet to lose this year and sit ...
Pitman High's varsity girls swimming team defeated Turlock High 119-61 on Friday while the Bulldog boys defeated the Pride 92-84, in a cross-town and league matchup. "It is great competitiveness between these two schools," Turlock boys coach Erich Richter said. "All these guys grew up together swimming in rec league, it is a family atmosphere and I love it. That's what I love about this town, it's the best." Turlock's Garrett Roof ...
Turlock High's boys and girls swim teams dominated Golden Valley on Friday. The Bulldogs hosted the Cougars with the boys winning 103-73 and the girls taking a 93-86 victory. "I was really proud of these guys," Turlock's boys coach Erick Richter said. "They were pumped and I told them to go out and work on their personal best. We knew Golden Valley was good, but we did what we had to do." <p ...
Turlock High leapfrogged into second place in the Central California Conference standings on Monday with a 2-0 victory over cross-town rival Pitman High. The Pride were eager to maintain their second place position in league prior to the matchup and waged a defensive battle with the Bulldogs for much of the wind-whipped match. Pitman was ultimately unable to withstand Turlock's offensive pressure, however, and fell to third place in the CCC with the loss. ...
The Turlock Christian Eagles softball team already surpassed last year's total win number of zero to a turnaround record of 8-8 thus far after defeating Big Valley Christian 15-4 on Tuesday. "I am very happy with the team," head coach Bret Balswick said. "Last year we had no wins, this year we already have eight. I told the team that one victory was our goal, but now we are playing like we could ...
Turlock High's 2013 baseball team is officially in the record books. With back to back wins over Atwater High-a 7-5 victory on Wednesday and a 10-2 victory on Friday- the Bulldogs (17-1 overall, 8-0 CCC) broke the 16 game consecutive win streak that was set two years ago. "I'm really happy for the guys. They've worked very hard for a very long time," Turlock's head coach Mark de la Motte said. "It gives ...
The hunt for the Central California Conference girls soccer title just got interesting as the top three teams-Golden Valley, Pitman, and Turlock High- are now separated by the slightest of margins. After starting the season with three consecutive losses, the reigning CCC champion Bulldogs have climbed back into contention by winning five or their last six games. On Wednesday Turlock hosted Buhach Colony High and wasted no time asserting its presence on the ...
Pride freshman Matt Carrigg pitched five shutout innings, allowed only two hits, walked one and struck out three of 18 batters faced, en route to a wild 6-5 victory over Merced on Friday. "I felt pretty good, just stayed cool… kept my cool and not get cocky and do what I do," Carrigg said. "I felt confident, I was a little nervous but I felt confident." Carrigg also provided clutch offense as ...
Ask any athlete who's serious about their sport and they'll tell you that one of the most important factors of success is to establish goals. Turlock High's Isaac Bertalotto did just that at the beginning of his sophomore wrestling season. Now, after completing his first goal of placing at the state level, the young Bulldog has scratched another task off his list by becoming an All-American. "It's a big deal," Bertalotto said. ...
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 ...