Merced boys basketball uses big second quarter to beat Atwater in battle for first place
The Merced High boys basketball team is alone in first place in the Central California Conference.
The Bears went on a 16-0 run in the second quarter to open up a double-digit lead, then never looked back to win Friday night’s first-place showdown against host Atwater, 64-45.
The game was tied at 19 after the first quarter, but the Bears’ big second-quarter run gave them a 17-point halftime lead.
Senior Diego Aguilar scored 20 points, including six 3-pointers, for the Bears. Jordan Thomasscored sc15 points and Valentin Vasquez added 10.
The victory improves Merced to 4-0 in the CCC and puts the Bears in prime position to claim the league title.
Merced, which has won four straight games and seven of its last eight, already has wins over the CCC’s two other main contenders, Atwater and Buhach Colony.
In other action Friday night, El Capitan defeated Golden Valley 42-32. Buhach Colony beat Los Banos 58-45 to moved into a tie for second place.
Here are the current CCC boys standings:
- Merced 4-0
- Atwater 3-1
- Buhach Colony 3-1
- Los Banos 1-3
- El Capitan 1-3
- Golden Valley 0-4
El Capitan girls still unbeaten in CCC
The El Capitan girls continue to dominate the CCC, defeating Golden Valley 62-34 on Thursday night to improve to 4-0.
Madysen Dietz led the Gauchos with 13 points, Avnoor Bains had 11 points and Jordynn Middleton added 10 in the easy win.
The Gauchos have wins over their two main CCC rivals, Atwater and Merced.
Here are the current CCC girls standings:
- El Capitan 4-0
- Atwater 3-1
- Merced 2-2
- Los Banos 2-2
- Golden Valley 1-3
- Buhach Colony 0-4
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 9:29 PM.
