Pitman High had an opportunity to maintain a number one position in the CCC Wednesday when they hosted Golden Valley High. The Pride (5-3 CCC) and Cougars (6-2 CCC) came into the game in a three way tie with Buhach Colony for first place, creating a highly competitive atmosphere for the game. Unfortunately for the Pride, they let the opportunity slip through their fingers as they lost 58-50.

Pitman took an early lead in the game, scoring 10 unanswered points in the beginning of the first quarter. The lead didn’t last for long though as the Cougars rallied back, battling back and forth with the Pride before tying it up at the half 24-24.

The third quarter marked the rise of Golden Valley’s offense. The Cougars utilized the size and athleticism of Rob Martinez (20 Points) to outscore the Pride 11-5 in the third. But as they have all season, Pitman had resurgence in the fourth quarter, closing in on Golden Valley’s lead by a basket or two on several occasions.

Skyler Sexton’s (16 points) three-point shooting kept Pitman in the game, most notably hitting a trey with 1:28 left in the game that cut the Cougar lead to three points. A pair of free throws and a Martinez field goal dashed the comeback, however, sending Pitman to third place in the CCC next to rival Turlock High.

Pitman played Buhach Colony on Friday in an attempt to regain second place and possibly first depending on the results of the Turlock v. Golden Valley game.

To contact Frankie Tovar, e-mail ftovar@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.