Turlock High’s boys basketball team will play its final non-conference game of the season today when it travels to take on Central Catholic at the Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center.
Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.
The Bulldogs (10-7) are coming off a 63-55 win over Ripon, while the Raiders (7-6) started Valley Oak League play Friday against Kimball (Tracy). The score of that game was not available at press time.
Against Ripon, senior point guard Jed Ladine led the way with 26 points, 19 of those coming in the first half and 13 in the first quarter.
Jordan Williams contributed 13 points to the Bulldogs’ cause, with nine of those coming by way of 3-pointers. Senior center Gavin Cox, who leads the Bulldogs in scoring with more than 20 points per game, was held to just four points.
Ladine, who fouled out against Ripon, was hit with two technical fouls and, by rule, will not be eligible to play tonight against Central Catholic.
“It’s not an ideal situation,” said THS coach Nick Nathanson. “He fouled out and walked off the court before the sub came onto the floor, and he gave Jed a technical.”
Freshman Claxton Ladine, Jed’s younger brother, will start at point guard.
“We’re hoping Claxton can step in for his older brother and step up for us,” said Nathanson. “And we need Gavin to have a bounce-back performance. He tends to do better against better competition and, hopefully, that’s the case tomorrow.”
Turlock and Central Catholic have five common opponents in Atwater, Downey, Gregori, Manteca and McNair.
* Undefeated Atwater (17-0), the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps.com's Sac-Joaquin Section Division II rankings (and No. 2 in the section regardless of division), defeated Turlock twice by scores of 55-50 and 57-52. The Falcons also defeated Central Catholic twice, winning 69-59 and 71-59.
* Downey defeated Turlock 61-55, but lost to CC 60-47.
* Gregori lost 85-49 to the Bulldogs, and 72-56 to the Raiders.
* Turlock beat Manteca 66-55, while CC lost to the Buffaloes 57-56 in overtime.
* The Bulldogs beat McNair 61-37, while the Raiders earned a 76-62 victory against the Eagles.
“This is a game we’ve had circled on our calendar,” said Nathanson. “We’re hoping to take some momentum into league.”
The Bulldogs will open Central California Athletic League action Wednesday on the road against Modesto High.
