In the season opener for the Riverbank High School JV girls' basketball team, Riverbank was victorious by a 37-35 count against Oakdale on Nov. 27.
"We felt pretty good about the win," said head coach Robert Mayfield. "They blew us out the last couple of years. I was pretty pleased with the way the girls responded."
Top scorers included Vanessa Rodriguez, who poured in 14 points, including a long 3-pointer at the end of the first half to give Riverbank a four-point halftime lead.
Heather Medrano had 12 points, including a pair of treys from downtown, and Kelly Clancey added nine. Irene Castillo also had a bucket.
Riverbank outscored Oakdale in the first three quarters - 9-8, 14-11 and 10-8. Oakdale won the fourth quarter, 8-4, but the Riverbank girls held on.
The game was tied, 35-35, with around a minute to go, but Riverbank converted two free throws to go up by two. The team then held off Oakdale's final two possessions for the hard-earned win.
"We played great defense," Mayfield said. "Shut them down the whole game. On offense, we did just enough to win."
There are 15 girls on the roster, and Mayfield said all but three are freshmen. So Riverbank will be young, but the team started off on the right foot with the victory.
The JV girls join the varsity at the Escalon tournament on Thursday and Friday, before hosting Gustine next Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m.
"We felt pretty good about the win," said head coach Robert Mayfield. "They blew us out the last couple of years. I was pretty pleased with the way the girls responded."
Top scorers included Vanessa Rodriguez, who poured in 14 points, including a long 3-pointer at the end of the first half to give Riverbank a four-point halftime lead.
Heather Medrano had 12 points, including a pair of treys from downtown, and Kelly Clancey added nine. Irene Castillo also had a bucket.
Riverbank outscored Oakdale in the first three quarters - 9-8, 14-11 and 10-8. Oakdale won the fourth quarter, 8-4, but the Riverbank girls held on.
The game was tied, 35-35, with around a minute to go, but Riverbank converted two free throws to go up by two. The team then held off Oakdale's final two possessions for the hard-earned win.
"We played great defense," Mayfield said. "Shut them down the whole game. On offense, we did just enough to win."
There are 15 girls on the roster, and Mayfield said all but three are freshmen. So Riverbank will be young, but the team started off on the right foot with the victory.
The JV girls join the varsity at the Escalon tournament on Thursday and Friday, before hosting Gustine next Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m.
