The winning ways continued for Riverbank’s varsity basketball programs over the holiday break.

The varsity boys put a 78-54 win on the books against Mariposa County on Monday, Dec. 23.

A 24-7 first quarter lead carried the Bruins to the victory, as the teams were much more evenly matched over the final three frames. Riverbank had a 44-26 edge at the half and then increased the lead with a 19-11 run in the third before Mariposa was a bucket better (17-15) in the fourth.

Rolaun Dunham paced the team with 21 points including three treys, with Reilly Nabors and Tristin Rodgers also in double figures with 10 points apiece. Ylli Lopez added nine and Curtis Porter III chipped in with eight as the squad raised its preseason record to 9-1.

A final tune up game with Enochs was on the schedule Monday, Dec. 30 at Riverbank, after The News went to press. The Bruins will open Trans-Valley League play on their home court on Friday night, Jan. 3, hosting Orestimba.

For the varsity girls, it was a busy week, notching a trio of victories to improve to 10-1 overall.

The girls were 49-39 winners on Thursday, Dec. 26 against West of Tracy, using a 21-3 opening quarter run to establish an early lead. West outscored the Lady Bruins 36-28 over the final three periods but the big first quarter carried Riverbank to victory.

They were back on the court, hosting Sonora on Friday, Dec. 27 and were 69-49 winners, this time coming on strong with a 24-15 run in the final frame to nail down the win.

On Saturday, Dec. 28, the girls took on Tokay in Lodi and came away with a hard fought 49-43 win, using a 31-19 advantage over the middle two quarters to gain the upper hand.

The varsity girls were scheduled to travel to Turlock for a Monday, Dec. 30 game after press time for The News and will be on the road to start TVL play with a 7:30 p.m. contest on Friday, Jan. 3 at Orestimba.