Pitman turns it up after slow start

The Pitman High girls basketball players couldn't help but cringe once they noticed they were on the wrong end of a lopsided score Thursday night at the Lion's Den.

Coyotes win despite scoring attack by TC guard

DENAIR - The Denair High boys basketball players' main objective in Tuesday night's game against league rival Turlock Christian was this: Stop Brandon Rogers, who averages nearly 30 points.

Pitman’s lightweight becomes big-time champ

His drenched-in-sweat shirt looked as if he had taken a dip into a pool. His legs must've had felt like they climbed a mountain, bearing in mind the type of workout his coach puts him and his teammates through.

Garcia nearly takes down state winner

Turlock High senior wrestler Fabian Garcia doesn't like losing, especially because he hasn't experienced much of it as a Bulldog.

Pride at 2-0? Yes, really

As they walked out of their locker room on their way to greet waiting family and friends, smiles were painted all over the faces of the Pitman High boys basketball players and coaches.

Eagles fly past Gustine in win

If the Turlock Christian girls basketball players didn't score a single point after the first quarter, they'd still have technically won Thursday night's Southern League contest against Gustine High.

Bulldogs win without star point guard

Playing without injured point guard Camille Roberts, the Turlock High girls basketball team had a straightforward approach in Tuesday night's Central California Conference opener against Buhach Colony: Just squeeze by the Thunder.

Perez brothers share unique relationship at Pitman

Just before he faced his final opponent at last week's Bulldog Classic, Pitman High senior Andrew Perez was approached on the wrestling mat by his older brother, Vincent, who whispered something in his ear.

Area wrestlers shine at annual clashing

Before the first wrestlers stepped on the mats at the 19th Bulldog Classic on Wednesday, Turlock coach Mike Contreras wasn't sure about how his team would do.

Yellowjackets win tournament against high-scoring opponent

RIPON - For much of the night, the Hilmar High girls basketball team's main objective was to stop Oakdale High dangerous guard Cassandra Clark.

Bulldogs avoid upset in prestigious tournament

SALIDA - The home locker room is a few feet away from the main floor of the basketball gym, far enough to keep outsiders from hearing what goes on inside. That's a good thing for coach Doug Cornfoot and his Turlock boys basketball team.

Area wrestlers to battle at annual tournament

This season, the approach is different for the Pitman High wrestling team.

Pitman’s late surge not enough

After a one-point second quarter, the Pitman High boys basketball players had just one logical thing left to do.

Turlock’s Garcia wins prestigious tournament

It's no secret that Turlock High senior wrestler Fabian Garcia's ultimate goal is to be a state champion. This aim is very realistic for him, since he's a three-time state medalist.

Pitman wins big at first big wrestling event

In what is considered the wrestling season's first real test, the Pitman High wrestlers did better than expected.

First round loss for Bulldogs

Turlock High's hopes for a Division I Sac Joaquin Section title were dashed Wednesday night in Elk Grove when the Bulldogs (17-11 overall, 7-3 CCC) faced Franklin High. After a lack luster first half, Turlock climbed its way back into the game but was ultimately unable to overcome Wildcats. The final score read 67-65. "They came out on fire and we came out kind of flat," Turlock's head coach Doug Cornfoot said. "We ...

TC boys notch playoff win

Let the playoff blitz begin

Today's a big day for the post-season dreams of a number of high schoolers as three boys basketball teams compete for a chance at a San Joaquin Section title in their respective divisions. In the Division I bracket Turlock High travels to Franklin High of Elk Grove for the first round of tournament play. The 10th seed Bulldogs finished second in the Central California Conference with a 7-3 league record. Three Turlock players ...

Turlock, Pitman headed to Masters

Turlock High is sending seven wrestlers to the San Joaquin Section Division IA Finals, better known as the Masters Tournament, after a third place team finish at last weekend's SJS D1A Championships which was hosted at Pitman High. With wrestling stalwarts like Folsom, Ponderosa, and Elk Grove High added into the mix and 41 state ranked wrestlers present, Turlock's third place finish was a good warm up for Masters. "We got to ...

Hilmar girls fall short

Hilmar High's girls basketball team fell to top seeded Bear River High Tuesday night, 63-31, in the first round of the San Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs. The Yellowjackets, who defeated Mariposa High last Friday in a teeth clinching, out bracket 61-59 victory, were no match for the Bruins who put on a basketball clinic in the first half with steady treys and an inside attack. "They played really, really well," Hilmar's head ...

6 Bulldogs, 3 Pride to compete in Div. I semi-finals

Both Turlock and Pitman have eight wrestlers competing in day two of the Sac-Joaquin Section Divisional Tournament, held at Pitman High today. Six Bulldogs and three Pride grapplers are headed into the semi-finals; not too bad, but for Turlock coach Mike Contreras it could have been better. "It was a pretty tough tournament for our guys," he said after day one. Turlock entered Friday's tournament fresh off its eighth league championship in ...

TC’s Steeley signs with Dordt

For the first time in five years Turlock Christian High is sending an athlete to play collegiate football. Senior Nick Steeley recently signed with Iowa's Dordt College where he is expected to line up as a scatback for the Defenders. "I visited them and I liked what I saw; the Christian environment, people who care about you and actually want you to come and work hard and work with them as a family," ...

Delhi defeats TC in season finale

Delhi High may have earned its first post-season bid in eight years after defeating Turlock Christian High 66-54 on Saturday. The Hawks faced the Eagles in Pitman High's gym for TC's homecoming but it was Delhi who settled in and made the court theirs with a combination of speed and pressure. "It was a good win," Delhi's head coach Eugene Drummond said. Delhi jumped out to a huge lead after scoring 21 ...

All seven ‘Jacket wrestlers place at league tourney

Hilmar High completed its Trans Valley League wrestling season with a fourth place team finish at Saturday's TVL league tournament-impressive considering the Yellowjackets' seven-man roster. "It's tough with only half of the weight classes but fourth is awesome for only seven varsity kids," Hilmar's assistant coach Howie Tremble said. Saturday's performance ensured all seven 'Jackets a spot in Friday and Saturday's Divisional Tournament at Lyndhurst High. Antonio Melo secured his return ...

How much is too much when it comes to high school sports and winning?

I've been covering local sports for more than a year, enough time to experience all the firsts that come with the job-or so I thought. I was reminded that I hadn't seen it all Saturday night when I drove to Pitman High to cover back to back varsity games for Turlock Christian High's homecoming. TC's girls and boys teams hosted Delhi High in the final game of the regular season with the ladies ...

Turlock sweeps Pitman for final league victory

Turlock High put a cap on its regular season Friday night with a 48-36 win over rival Pitman High. The Bulldogs scored points in bunches, nine and 10 points at a time, and dictated the game's tempo on their way to victory. "We got out and jumped on them early, took the crowd out early on," Turlock's head coach Doug Cornfoot said. Junior Kenny Fraser led the offensive effort with 16 points, ...

Pitman girls rally second half comeback over energized Bulldogs

With post-season hopes gone, Thursday marked the final game of the season for both Turlock and Pitman High girls basketball teams. The Bulldogs, who experienced a season of struggle in 2012, were seen by many as the night's underdogs, but with a lively crowd watching their final home game they hit the court with renewed spirit. The Pride seemed stunned from the beginning of regulation as Turlock displayed an energized and fast paced ...

Bulldog wrestling claims league title, sends 12 to Divisionals

The Turlock High wrestling team entered Thursday's Central California League Tournament with heaping confidence. The Bulldogs had already bested their league foes through a string of duals, leaving one day of competition between them and an outright CCC Championship. But what started as a tournament of formality quickly transformed into a different day all together. An unexpected injury sidelined Ricco McCombs at 122 pounds before a disputed weigh-in with an uncertified scale prevented ...

Tom Tyler named Pitman’s new football coach

Pitman High announced Tom Tyler's selection for the vacant head football coach position on Friday. Tyler, former head coach for Turlock High from 1996-2006, will replace Brandon Harris who recently accepted a similar position at Columbia High in Nampa, Idaho. He will be the third head coach in the football program's history. "Part of what we wanted to do was to try and maintain the foundation that had been set by Larry (Nigro) ...

Turlock's Nicole Larson signs with CSU Stanislaus

Eight years ago Nicole Larson was introduced to a game called soccer. She had never played before but the call of competition sucked her in and hooked her instantly. Her Turlock Youth Soccer Association coach Jim Tejeda recognized her passion-and her talent-and made a bold prediction. That girl is going to play in college someday, he said. The idea of playing soccer at the collegiate level resonated well with Larson, and just ...