Atwater defeats El Capitan to set up CCC showdown against Merced.

The stage is set for a Central California Conference girls basketball showdown on Thursday night between the Atwater and Merced.

Amoni Claiborne scored 16 points as the Falcons defeated El Capitan 76-33 at El Capitan on Tuesday night. Atwater improved to 17-8 overall and 8-1 in the CCC.

Atwater is just one game back of the Bears (21-3, 9-0 CCC) and can pull even atop the CCC with a win at Merced on Thursday.

Faith Ward and Jessica Agundis scored 11 points for Atwater.

Merced 57, Buhach Colony 29 in Merced — Sierra Smith and Khya Martin both scored 14 points as the Bears remained unbeaten in the CCC at 9-0.

Stone Ridge Christian 44, Venture Academy 39 in Stockton — The Knights are headed to the playoffs for the first time in 9 years. Ki’Onna Hilliard led the Knights with 20 points. Caitlyn Cole had 14 points and Carissa Hoekstra had 10 points for SRC.

Boys Soccer

El Capitan 2, Buhach Colony 2 in Atwater — Dakota VanZile and Ryan Fischer both scored goals for the Gauchos as they earned a draw with the Thunder. Fernando Abarca had eight saves for the Gauchos.

Central Valley 2, Golden Valley 1 in Merced — Carlos Morales scored the Cougars’ goal on an assist from Bryan Figueroa. Andrew Sanchez recorded five saves for GV (3-3-3 CCC).

Girls Soccer

Buhach Colony 4, El Capitan 2 in Merced — C scored three goals to hand the Gauchos their second straight loss.

Anaya Shelton and Haley Espinoza both scored goals for El Capitan (7-2-1 CCC).

Golden Valley 2, Central Valley 0 in Ceres — Kayla Perez and Yanell Ramirez both scored goals as the Golden Valley improved to 5-1-3 in the CCC.