For the first time this season the Turlock (3-16 overall, 2-0 CCC) High varsity boys' basketball team has won consecutive games after picking up a road victory over Merced on Wednesday in a Central California Conference showdown, 51-44.

“Believe it or not, we won another game fortunately,” said Turlock head coach Doug Cornfoot. “We were embarrassed with how preseason went and the kids were frustrated, we were just glad to get that first league win and now this really gets the kids excited, we can still compete for a league title.”

Oscar Moreno scored a team-high 22 points and Habib Velasquez had 11 for the game.

Turlock started off the first quarter down 15-10 before surging into a 13-8 run to go up by one at halftime at 23-22.

Merced took the lead in the third quarter after outscoring Turlock 17-8, and even built a lead as much as 14.

Coach Cornfoot called a timeout and challenged his guys to see how bad they wanted to step up and compete—and they responded well.

A 20-4 run in the fourth quarter led by Moreno's 9 points alone, helped the Bulldogs edge out the Bears in the first meeting between the two.

“I also want to mention Mitchell Pryschuk and Josh Mcginnis for hitting some late shots from three to make it close for us,” said Cornfoot.

The defense and offense finally stepped up for Turlock late in the game after trailing heading into the fourth after knocking down some crucial free throws.

Turlock was 12 of 20 from the line while Merced was 11 of 16.

“We preach all season long that preseason was frustrating but we kept grinding,” Cornfoot added. “We got some weight taken off after winning our first league game but now we see the light and I think it is definitely motivating for our kids now.”

The next game for Turlock will be on the road at Buhach Colony at 7:15 p.m. Friday (today).

Hilmar wrestling wins first league dual meet over Mountain House

The Hilmar High Yellowjackets won their first league dual meet of the year on Wednesday after defeating Mountain House, 45-22.

“It's good to get the first win,” said Hilmar head coach Steve Vieira. “We got a young group but the boys we got in the room are starting to get better as long as they keep working hard. I think a lot of them will be very good in the near future.”

Hilmar is now 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the Trans-Valley League after the win and came out with 5 matches won, including 3 forfeits in the 9 matches wrestled.

Gave Azevedo (113) and Wyatt Carter (120) each came away with victories in their respective weight classes by way of fall.

Tyler Amarante (152) and Justin Rentfro (170) also won by fall and Isaac Sharp (138) won by a 9-2 decision. Anthony Agueda, Gabe Aguilar and Jared Collier won by forfeit.

The next meet for Hilmar will be at the Tim Brown Invitational at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday.