Bulldogs and Bears draw after extreme conditions

The field conditions were so intense on Wednesday that it forced the Central California Conference bout between Turlock and Merced High to be played at McNamara Park as the wind gusts exceeded 20 miles per hour.

Merced scored first in the opening half, then Turlock followed with a Ray Owens free-kick goal to the goalie’s upper left with 10 minutes remaining in the game as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Weather conditions were really bad,” said Turlock head coach Arteaga. “A lot of the girls were really cold, the wind was blowing hard and the rain was cold. The girls seem to have a hard time judging the ball in the air and controlling the ball on the ground.”

Turlock is now 2-0-1 in CCC play while Merced goes to 3-0-1. Owens' goal was also the first goal allowed by Merced in CCC play after four games played.

“It was anyone’s game,” said Arteaga. “The couple of good things today was one we went on the road and we tied the first place team. Two, we can't make excuses because of the weather since both teams where playing under the same conditions.”

Turlock has allowed just three goals in league play and five in all games played thus far, while Merced has allowed six in all games played.

Turlock will host Buhach Colony at 5:30 p.m. today.

Yellowjacket girls’ basketball win third straight

Hailey Chavez scored a game-high 16 points while Elizabeth Flores added 14 as the Hilmar varsity girls’ basketball team ousted Escalon on Tuesday, 45-30.

Hilmar is now 11-7 overall and 4-1 in TVL play. The Yellowjackets have now won three straight, including six of the last seven.

Hilmar outscored Escalon 11-9 in the opening quarter and led 20-15 at halftime.

From there on the offense scored 25 in the second half while the defense held Escalon to 15 en route to another victory.

Both Chipponeri and Benning added six points each in Tuesday's win for Hilmar.

Next for Hilmar will be a home contest against Ripon (3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.