Preseason winter sports action returned for Riverbank High School athletes this past week, but not without a bit of difficulty for some teams. Here is a wrap of the recent action for the Bruin sports squads.
Bruin Basketball
Boys basketball had a bit of trouble, beginning with their Monday game in Gustine, Merced County.
Word from coaches and administrators indicates a serious push by one of the Reds players in the first quarter led to a rush of Riverbank players leaving from the bench and spilling onto the court. That’s a move prohibited by California Interscholastic Federation rules that led to a five-game suspension for five of the players. Coaches note that the Bruins played the rest of the game with just four players, still winning by a very lopsided final score of 100-26.
The CIF ruling required the Bruins to move up a number of JV team players for the three-day Ron Peterson Tip-Off Tournament, which was hosted on the home courts Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
The Bruins faced the much taller Big Valley Christian team from Modesto, falling 75-68 to the Lions, on opening night, Nov. 30. The next night, they suffered a similar fate, ending up on the short side of a 65-34 score to the Patterson Tigers. On Saturday, they were more successful, finishing on top of Mariposa County’s Grizzlies, 52-42, in an afternoon game to salvage one victory in their kickoff tournament.
Riverbank was scheduled to play at Bret Harte High School on Dec. 5 and then travel to Central Valley in Ceres on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Lady Bruin Basketball
The girls varsity team was busy over the last week, on the road, with a number of preseason games. On Monday, Nov. 27, they were at Mountain House, defeating the Lady Mustangs, 68-47. On Nov. 30, they started a tournament at Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, facing Wood High School, winning 52-34. On Friday, Dec. 1, Riverbank faced Cosumnes Oaks, winning 44-37. On Saturday, they were defeated by the Lady Pumas of Maria Carrillo High from Santa Rosa.
The girls were to host Golden Valley on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Weston Ranch will come to town for a Thursday, Dec. 7 contest.
Lady Bruin Soccer
On Monday, Nov. 27, the girls lost to the Lady Lions of Linden, 2-0. On Wednesday, Nov. 29, they tied 0-0 with the Lady Cougars at Weston Ranch High School. They played in the Hughson Tournament last week as well, on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Dec. 1, they tied the Lady Panthers of Modesto High, 2-2, then fell 3-0 to Johansen High from Modesto. On Saturday, they beat Waterford, 5-0.
Bruin Soccer
Boys soccer played host to Central Valley of Ceres on Monday, Nov. 27, losing 5-0. On Wednesday, Nov. 29, they were at Weston Ranch, tying 2-2. They were to host Modesto High on Dec. 5, and Venture Academy on Thursday, Dec. 7.
