With leading scorer/rebounder Zack Gonzales recovering from an ankle injury, the rest of Riverbank High's varsity boys basketball team knew they couldn't idly sit by while their hopes for a decent seed into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs slipped away.
The Gonzales-less Bruins rebounded from back-to-back Trans-Valley League losses with impressive victories over Orestimba (11-8) and Hilmar (7-10) this past week.
Riverbank (13-3 overall, 2-2 TVL) overcame a 34-30 deficit after three quarters with a heroic scoring rally in the fourth, and toppled Hilmar in a 58-48 thriller on Friday.
Robert Martinez exploded a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds while Rolaun Dunham scored 14 with eight boards. Ivan Manriquez chipped in 10 points while Alex Reynaga (six), Rodrigo Silva (three), Bruce Gong (three), Wacey Vernon (two) and Manuel Jimenez (two) also found the net. Riverbank junior varsity and freshman teams also won.
The Bruins were still soaring from an earlier tight contest, where they had broken away from a 21-21 halftime deadlock with Orestimba to win 47-40 on Jan. 11.
Dunham (16 rebounds) led both teams in boards, and matched the game high with 11 points. Manriquez tossed in eight points while Reynaga (seven), Juan Harvey (seven), Martinez (four) and Jimenez (four) also scored. Antony Navarette added six points and 10 rebounds.
The Bruins had a bye to start the week, but pick up league play with host Ripon (10-7, 3-0) on Friday, Jan. 21. The Indians toppled Escalon (who beat Riverbank) 60-48 to emerge as a serious contender for top tier league status on Jan. 11.
Reigning section champs, Modesto Christian (12-3, 3-0), still sports the 53-game win streak they started since joining the Trans-Valley League in 2007.
The Gonzales-less Bruins rebounded from back-to-back Trans-Valley League losses with impressive victories over Orestimba (11-8) and Hilmar (7-10) this past week.
Riverbank (13-3 overall, 2-2 TVL) overcame a 34-30 deficit after three quarters with a heroic scoring rally in the fourth, and toppled Hilmar in a 58-48 thriller on Friday.
Robert Martinez exploded a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds while Rolaun Dunham scored 14 with eight boards. Ivan Manriquez chipped in 10 points while Alex Reynaga (six), Rodrigo Silva (three), Bruce Gong (three), Wacey Vernon (two) and Manuel Jimenez (two) also found the net. Riverbank junior varsity and freshman teams also won.
The Bruins were still soaring from an earlier tight contest, where they had broken away from a 21-21 halftime deadlock with Orestimba to win 47-40 on Jan. 11.
Dunham (16 rebounds) led both teams in boards, and matched the game high with 11 points. Manriquez tossed in eight points while Reynaga (seven), Juan Harvey (seven), Martinez (four) and Jimenez (four) also scored. Antony Navarette added six points and 10 rebounds.
The Bruins had a bye to start the week, but pick up league play with host Ripon (10-7, 3-0) on Friday, Jan. 21. The Indians toppled Escalon (who beat Riverbank) 60-48 to emerge as a serious contender for top tier league status on Jan. 11.
Reigning section champs, Modesto Christian (12-3, 3-0), still sports the 53-game win streak they started since joining the Trans-Valley League in 2007.
