By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Boys At Home, Girls Away In Hoops Play
D Hernandez
Riverbank junior Derek Hernandez (33) seems overpowered by Hilmar defenders during fourth quarter varsity boys basketball action. The game against the Yellowjackets was the second of two home contests for the Bruins last week. The Bruins held on for the 71-62 win. News Photos By Ric McGinnis

 

Riverbank High boys basketball hosted two games last week, while the Lady Bruins traveled for a pair of games of their own.

Of the boy’s games, the freshmen and JV teams swept the two they played, while the Bruin varsity boys split their pair.

 

Varsity Boys

Despite a two point lead at the half in the Tuesday, Jan. 12, game against Ripon Christian, Riverbank lost by five, 59-54, to the Knights.

On Friday, however, it was another matter. The varsity Bruins took a win over the Hilmar Yellowjackets, 68-62. Both games might have helped prove the axiom that, in basketball, it comes down to which team has the ball in the final minute or so.

Against RC, the varsity boys held the slim 2-point lead at the half, and by the end of the third quarter, they were ahead 50-43, but that margin eroded in the final frame.

Against Hilmar, Riverbank led 13-7 after the first quarter and was ahead 34-23 at the half. That lead grew to 50-39 in the third quarter, but the Yellowjackets fought back toward the end, with the Bruins holding onto the win, 68-62.

 

JV Bruins

The most exciting game of the week was probably the JV contest last Friday.

The young Bruins squeaked by Hilmar with a 3-point shot at the buzzer by sophomore Kendall Camp, pulling off a 50-48 win. Even the varsity team, waiting in the wings for their game to start, got excited for their JV counterparts and the victory.

Winning a tight one earlier in the week, the JV Bruins were down 40-35 against Ripon Christian going into the fourth quarter. They came on strong in the end to achieve the win, 51-47.

 

Freshman Boys

The youngest Bruin team had an easy time of it on Friday.

The game against Hilmar started with Riverbank scoring 30 points before the frosh Yellowjackets got on the board. They finished with a 55-17 win, while the second string played much of the contest, gaining valuable game experience.

On Tuesday, the RHS freshmen beat Ripon Christian, 56-47.

This week in boys basketball, the varsity Bruins only were scheduled for a special holiday game against Mariposa on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

All the boys teams are to be back in action on Friday, when they are to host Ripon High School.

Jan. 25-29 will be observed as Homecoming Week at RHS, with the Homecoming Game on Friday, Jan. 29. After a few away games, the Bruins play their final game of the season hosting the Hughson Huskies on Feb. 16.

 

Lady Bruins

Also seeing Trans-Valley League play this week, the girls’ JV and varsity basketball teams were at Ripon Christian on Tuesday and at Hilmar on Thursday.

The varsity team dropped the pair, losing 47-33, to the Lady Knights of RC to start off the week. The Lady Bruins then lost a low scoring heartbreaker to the Lady Yellowjackets, 24-23, Thursday. The JV ladies lost 22-5 to Hilmar but no score was reported for the game against RC.

This week, the girls teams are to visit Ripon High on Thursday, Jan. 21 and host Hughson next Tuesday, Jan. 26.