By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Pitman, Turlock in three-way tie with Gregori for top of league
Pitman girls basketball 1
Pitman’s Elizabeth Webb battles to keep control of the ball during the Pride’s league matchup with Turlock on Thursday. Pitman won 39-35 (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

The Central California Athletic League girls basketball race looks like it might be headed for a photo finish as we head into the final week of the regular season. 

Turlock High began the week in a tie for first place with Gregori, then surged ahead with a convincing 42-26 victory in Bulldog Arena on Tuesday. Kadence Craven led all scorers in that contest with 11 points.

However, two days later, Pitman delivered a 39-35 win over Turlock — Dailynn Greener led the way for the Pride with 14 points — to make it a three-way logjam atop the CCAL standings.

Turlock girls basketball 1
Turlock’s Deja Cox and Addison Krauss go for the rebound (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

As it stands, Turlock and Pitman lead the way with matching 6-2 records, while Gregori trails by half a game at 5-2.

The Bulldogs will travel on Tuesday to take on Downey (4-4), then host Modesto (0-8) in their CCAL finale on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Pride will host Enochs (2-5) on Tuesday then visit Gregori on Thursday.

Gregori will travel to face Enochs on Monday, and hosts Modesto on Tuesday before tangling with Pitman in Thursday’s finale.

All games tip-off at 7:30 p.m.

In Thursday’s Turlock-Pitman matchup, three-point field goals from the Pride’s Greener and Elizabeth Webb extended the lead to seven points within the first 30 seconds of the third quarter. 

Pitman would eventually make it 25-16 before Turlock scored its first points of the second half when Deja Cox’s basket made it 25-18 with 4:21 left in the third.

Turlock eventually cut the lead to one basket, but Pitman was able to pull away in the end.

The teams will learn their playoff fates on Feb. 10 when the Sac-Joaquin Section releases the playoff brackets at about 1:30 p.m.