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Disappointing Finish To Winter Tournament Action
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Riverbank’s Issac Andalon, 19, contends with an Escalon opponent in the varsity boys soccer match that closed out the Trans-Valley League season. The Bruin win put them in the playoffs; they lost in the first round on Feb. 12 to San Juan. Ric McGinnis/The News
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Bruin guard, senior Preston Davidson, 4, looks up, along with Ripon Christian defenders, to see his shot end up high above the basket in late season league play. Riverbank made it to the playoffs but lost in the first round on the road at Sonora on Feb. 13. Ric McGinnis/The News

Riverbank sports teams that made it to the section playoffs this past week were disappointed to be sent home in the first round. Here is a recap of the competition.

 

Boys Soccer

Action on Tuesday, Feb. 12 saw the Bruin varsity boys soccer team travel to San Juan High School in Citrus Heights in Sacramento for a Sac-Joaquin Division V tournament contest.

“The game did not go in our favor,” said coach Juan Harvey, “but I thought our team played well.”

The final saw Riverbank held off the scoreboard in a 3-0 contest. The Bruins were the sixth seeded team in the Section playoffs while host San Juan entered as the number three seed.

“It was a grass field with a couple of muddy spots, but the field conditions were a lot better than at home,” Harvey added. “The boys just couldn’t seem to get their footing, and we kept sliding anytime we tried to cut back or make a quick move.”

The San Juan Spartans scored two goals early, the coach said, and then it basically turned into a battle within the midfield area for almost the entire game.

“We had our opportunities to score, but just could not capitalize on them,” Harvey noted. “The last 10 minutes we were attacking with more players to try to get on the scoreboard, but they scored on a counter attack in the last minute of play to make it 3-0.”

Riverbank, which made it to the postseason in the regular season finale with a win over rival Escalon, closed out a strong second half of the campaign with the Section appearance.

“In the end I think it was a great season,” Harvey reported. “From where we were in late December until now, we have grown tremendously and we fought hard to get into the playoffs. This team worked hard to turn things around and I’m glad they never gave up.”

San Juan lost to Encina Prep in the next round, with Encina ultimately losing in overtime to the Hilmar Yellowjackets in the championship match.

Bruin varsity boys soccer finished their regular season with a 7-4-1 Trans-Valley League record and a 10-15-2 overall finish.

 

Boys Basketball

The Bruins fell in first round play on the road at Sonora, 56-42. They traveled up the hill last Wednesday, Feb. 13, for the opening round in the Division IV basketball tournament. The host Wildcats came in as the number two seed and used the home court to their advantage against the number 15 seed Bruins.

Sonora went on to win their next game, Friday, Feb. 15 against number 10 Foothill to advance to the semifinals.

The varsity Bruin hoopsters finished their regular season with an 8-4 mark in Trans-Valley League play and compiled a 14-11 overall record.