El Capitan senior surpasses 1,000 career points as Gauchos take over first place
Tuesday was a big night for Avnoor Bains and the El Capitan High girls basketball team.
Not only did the Gauchos win the battle for first place in the Central California Conference, 56-42 over Atwater.
Bains, a senior guard, also surpassed 1,000 career points with a six-point scoring night. She became the second El Capitan player to reach the career milestone this season. Senior Mady Dietz did it on Dec. 29.
“Special, special moment, she’s a great player,” El Capitan coach Adam Her told Shawn Jansen of the Merced Union High School District. “She brings so much heart to this team and I know she’s worked so hard. For her to get it on a night like tonight, I know it means a lot to her and a lot to us as a Gauchos family.”
Bains told Jansen she was glad the milestone came during an important game.
“It means a lot because I’ve put in countless hours inside and outside of practice time in the gym,” Bains told Jansen. “So to hit it on a game like this means a lot.”
Senior Jordynn Middleton led all El Capitan scorers with 14 points in the Gauchos’ win over Atwater. Junior Rayonn Maxie added 11 points and Dietz had 8.
El Capitan is now the clear front-runner to claim the CCC championship. The Gauchos are 3-0 and have wins over both second-place teams, Atwater (2-1) and Merced (2-1). El Capitan is 18-2 overall.
Here’s a look at the current CCC standings:
- El Capitan 3-0
- Atwater 2-1
- Merced 2-1
- Golden Valley 1-1
- Los Banos 0-2
- Buhach Colony 0-3
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM.
