Update: Merced boys, El Capitan girls basketball teams remain perfect in CCC
The El Capitan High girls basketball team’s dream of a perfect Central California Conference season is becoming reality.
The Gauchos improved to 8-0 in the CCC and 23-2 overall with a 70-62 win over second place Atwater on Thursday night.
El Capitan is now well within reach of the CCC title. The Gauchos play Golden Valley (1-5) and Los Banos (3-4) at home next week.
Alexis Valenzuela led El Capitan with 20 points and junior Rayonn Maxie added 16 in the win over the Falcons.
Here’s an updated look at the CCC girls standings:
- El Capitan 8-0
- Atwater 6-2
- Merced 4-4
- Los Banos 4-4
- Golden Valley 1-6
- Buhach Colony 0-8
Merced boys still unbeaten
The Merced High boys basketball team dominated Buhach Colony 65-35 on Friday to remain unbeaten in the CCC at 8-0.
The Bears will face their final big test of the CCC season against second-place Atwater (6-1) next Wednesday.
Merced has won eight consecutive games, including a 72-58 victory over Los Banos on Wednesday.
Here’s an updated look at the CCC boys standings:
- Merced 8-0
- Atwater 7-1
- Buhach Colony 5-3
- El Capitan 2-6
- Los Banos 1-7
- Golden Valley 1-7
El Capitan cheer team takes title
The El Capitan High cheer team is a state champion and headed to the national championships.
The Gauchos claimed the CIF State Coed Small Cheer Invitational in Folsom on Jan. 31, and left for Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday for nationals.
The 15-member team won the Sac-Joaquin Section Coed Non-Tumbling championship on Jan. 24.
It has been an especially emotional season for the Gauchos because one of its members, Jared Fong, is battling bone cancer. He discovered the cancer in his knee over the summer.
Livingston girls wrestlers win crown
The Livingston High girls wrestling team claimed its second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 team duals title with a 56-24 win over Del Campo in the championship round at Lincoln High in Stockton.
The Wolves went into the tournament with an 11-1 record and having already won the Western Athletic Conference championship.
The Wolves had a bye in the first round, then defeated Casa Roble 63-18 in the semifinals.
After winning the team title, the Wolves will now focus on individual success. The section Masters tournament is Feb. 20–21 at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton. The CIF State Wrestling Championships are bing held Feb. 26-28 in Bakersfield.
This story was originally published February 5, 2026 at 10:46 AM.
