The Merced and Atwater high boys basketball teams both took care of business on Wednesday night to set up a Central California Conference clash on Friday between the two rivals who both stand atop the conference standings at 3-0.

 

The Bears (14-7) drained 11 3-pointers as a team and smothered a red-hot Buhach Colony squad in dominant fashion on their way to a 76-45 victory at Clemons Court. Merced snapped a 12-game winning streak by the Thunder (16-5 overall, 2-1 CCC). “Coach gave us a very motivational speech that Buhach Colony was the team in the area to beat,” said Merced senior Valentin Vasquez, who made four 3-pointers and finished with 18 points. “We took that to heart and came out with more energy and more intensity.”

 

Meanwhile, Atwater (13-8, 3-0 CCC) won a thriller as A.J. Banks scored a basket with under 15 seconds left as the Falcons defeated El Capitan 54-53 at Falcon Arena on Wednesday night. Now the stage is set for Friday night’s showdown in Atwater with first place in the CCC on the line. “This is a very big week for us,” Vasquez said. “Both teams we play this week are undefeated. We gave Buhach Colony a loss and now we’re looking forward to playing Atwater on Friday.”

 

Tip-off for Friday’s big game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at Falcon Arena. Here’s a roundup of Wednesday’s basketball and soccer action:

Boys Basketball

Merced 76, Buhach Colony 45 – The Bears blitzed Buhach Colony from start to finish with four Merced players finishing in double-figures in scoring led by Vasquez’s 18. Senior Diego Aguilar also drained four 3-pointers for all 12 of his points. Aiden Matsuo also scored 12 and Jovi Martinez added 10 points for the Bears.

 

Atwater 54, El Capitan 53 – The Falcons improved to 3-0 in the CCC with a narrow win over the Gauchos. Banks hit the game-winner in the final seconds and finished with 10 points. Fellow senior Peter Idialu led the way with 18 points and Sylas Austin added 10 points for Atwater.

 

Los Banos 53, Golden Valley 52 – The Cougars dropped their third consecutive CCC game despite 15 points from Elijah Carter. Zay Goode and Edgar Rodriguez both scored 14 points for Golden Valley (11-9 overall).

 

Boys Soccer

Atwater 2, Buhach Colony 0 – Mark Turrey and Jaden Lopez scored goals to help the Falcons improve to 4-0 in the CCC and 8-6-5 overall. Angel Garcia and Ricardo Abundiz recorded assists for Atwater and goalie Noah De La Rosa picked up two saves. 

 

Los Banos 2, Golden Valley 1 – The Cougars dropped to 2-2 in the CCC despite a goal from Cristian De Leon.  Golden Valley travels to Buhach Colony on Friday.

 

Merced 3, El Capitan 1 – Raymond Gonzalez recorded the hat trick with all three goals as the Bears improved to 2-2 in the CCC and 6-5-3 overall. Damian Casillas and Bryan Cortez each recorded an assist for Merced. Johan Montez picked up four saves at goalie for the Bears.

 

Girls Soccer

El Capitan 8, Merced 0 – The Gauchos continued their dominance in the CCC this season with a victory over the Bears. El Capitan improved to 11-3 overall and 5-0 in the CCC. The Gauchos have outscored their opponents 22 to 1 in their five conference victories.

 

Buhach Colony 2, Atwater 0 – Sofia Alcorn scored two goals to help the Thunder improve to 3-1 in the CCC to remain in second place in the CCC. Taylor Martin and Faith Vierra both recorded assists for Buhach Colony.

 

Golden Valley 1, Los Banos 1 – Emily Hernandez scored a goal on an assist from Viridiana Bernal for the Cougars’ lone goal. Golden Valley is now 0-2-2 in CCC play.

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.