Turns out Leap Year Day was an unlucky one for Riverbank’s Lady Bruin basketball this past week, as their second round NorCal Tournament game ended in a heartbreaking loss. The last of the winter teams still standing, the girls have wrapped up the campaign and now spring sports are in full swing for a number of Bruin athletes.
Lady Bruin Basketball
The RHS varsity basketball girls faced Notre Dame High School from San Jose on Thursday, Feb. 29, falling to the Regents, by one point, 47-46, on the home court.
Riverbank came in as the number 11 seed in the NorCal Division IV Tournament; Notre Dame was number 14. Falling behind in the first half, 36-18, the Lady Bruins fought back to tie the game at 42 by the end of regulation play. A four-minute overtime period proved to be their undoing, falling short, 47-46.
It wasn’t, however, without controversy at the end.
There were some in attendance who felt star shooter Chancis Gamez was fouled on her last-second shot outside the three-point arc and should have gotten free throw opportunities, but none of the three officials apparently saw a transgression and Notre Dame got the win.
For Riverbank it was a bittersweet ending, as they had traveled for the first round on Tuesday, Feb. 27. They had to face off with the number six seed University Prep Panthers in Redding. There, Riverbank prevailed with a 70-52 road win, setting up the home game for the second round.
Co-Ed Soccer
Having been forced to finish their seasons with away games because of the overly wet home pitch, Riverbank varsity boys and girls soccer coaches came up with the idea of having one final intra-squad scrimmage match.
It allowed the Boosters Club to hold its Senior Night for each team as they would have during the regular season, at the final home match.
Coaches divided their squads in two, with each half wearing home or away uniforms, combining boys and girls teams, then playing a regulation match, including officials. Two yellow cards were issued, one to each team, as play got a little rough in the first half.
By the mid-point, the score was tied at 2. It was then that the senior players and their families were introduced.
Bruin Baseball
Riverbank ball players took to the field with two games at home, defeating Waterford, 6-3, on Monday, Feb. 26, then falling to Delhi, 8-1, on Tuesday.
They were to play at Delhi on March 5 after press deadline, then host Summerville on Thursday, March 7.
Lady Bruin Softball
The girls won their home game on Monday, Feb. 26, against Sierra of Manteca, 11-1, in a six-inning game shortened by the 10-run rule.
The victory was aided by a grand slam home run hit by center fielder Sophia DeMatteo in the bottom of the fifth inning.
RHS is to play in the Rainbow Tournament this week, with games scheduled against McNair on Wednesday afternoon and Summerville to Wednesday night.
Co-ed Track & Field
Riverbank runners and jumpers who were ready were able to compete in the Timberwolf Invitational at Sierra High School this past Saturday, and were scheduled to host a scrimmage meet against Hilmar on March 5. They’ll be hosting the annual Stanislaus County Meet on Friday, March 8.
Bruin Volleyball
The Bruin boys played in the Orestimba Tournament in Newman last weekend, losing to El Capitan and Pacheco by identical scores, 2-0, on Saturday. Earlier, they traveled to nearby Oakdale and fell by a 3-0 final on Friday, March 1.
The boys were to host Waterford on March 5 and travel to Denair for a match on Thursday, March 7.
Co-Ed Tennis
Riverbank hosted its season kick-off Doubles Tournament on Friday, March 1, with the day-long event filling up all 12 of the tennis courts in town, six at the high school, four by the district office and two at Zerillo Park.
