It didn't take as long as last season, but it felt just as sweet as the Riverbank High girls varsity basketball team earned its first win of the season in a 38-20 victory over the Waterford Wildcats.
Riverbank used a potent offensive attack in the first half, practically putting the game out of reach with a 17-point margin heading into the locker room for the halftime intermission.
"We have been playing really well defensively," Riverbank head coach Corey Edminston said. "The girls have done an outstanding job with all out effort and hustle, but obviously in this game we had a little more offensive output than we've been averaging."
Riverbank took advantage of a really soft zone Waterford presented, watching as Alyssa Adams scorched the Wildcats for 18 points in the win. Jenni Manriquez also had a solid evening against the Wildcats, finishing up the contest in double-digits with 14 points chipped in.
"The girls did a good job of taking advantage and shooting the basketball well," Edminston said. "It has a lot to do with just being confident in their shots."
The Lady Bruins were only able to muster up a single victory a season ago, taking a lot of pressure off of the up-and-coming program by netting an early season win before it could become a distraction.
"I think that the girls were very excited," Edminston said. "They have put in a lot of time and hard work. We're practicing at 5:30 in the mornings, so it was nice for them to finally get some kind of return on their investment."
Riverbank wasn't able to close out the Hilmar Tournament on such a high note, losing to Orestimba High 40-16 in the tournament closer. The Lady Bruins were in the contest heading into the halftime break, but could only watch as Orestimba unleashed for a 20-point third period to put the game out of reach.
Manriquez led the Lady Bruins in scoring, turning in nine points, yet her continued effort around the Riverbank basket simply was not enough to match Orestimba down the stretch.
"We came out in that third period and made a couple turnovers in a row," Edminston said. "They were able to score some easy baskets on lay-up's and it just kind of steamrolled on."
Riverbank will look to get back on the right track as they prepare to take on the LeGrand Tournament field from Dec. 11 - 13. Riverbank has shown immediate signs of maturing and the team wants to continue with that formula.
"Right now our sole focus is on just trying to improve," Edminston said. "I think we improved with every game that we played in the Hilmar Tournament and that is all I can really ask.
"There will be some teams there (LeGrand Tournament) that we can compete with, so I am looking forward to that."
Riverbank used a potent offensive attack in the first half, practically putting the game out of reach with a 17-point margin heading into the locker room for the halftime intermission.
"We have been playing really well defensively," Riverbank head coach Corey Edminston said. "The girls have done an outstanding job with all out effort and hustle, but obviously in this game we had a little more offensive output than we've been averaging."
Riverbank took advantage of a really soft zone Waterford presented, watching as Alyssa Adams scorched the Wildcats for 18 points in the win. Jenni Manriquez also had a solid evening against the Wildcats, finishing up the contest in double-digits with 14 points chipped in.
"The girls did a good job of taking advantage and shooting the basketball well," Edminston said. "It has a lot to do with just being confident in their shots."
The Lady Bruins were only able to muster up a single victory a season ago, taking a lot of pressure off of the up-and-coming program by netting an early season win before it could become a distraction.
"I think that the girls were very excited," Edminston said. "They have put in a lot of time and hard work. We're practicing at 5:30 in the mornings, so it was nice for them to finally get some kind of return on their investment."
Riverbank wasn't able to close out the Hilmar Tournament on such a high note, losing to Orestimba High 40-16 in the tournament closer. The Lady Bruins were in the contest heading into the halftime break, but could only watch as Orestimba unleashed for a 20-point third period to put the game out of reach.
Manriquez led the Lady Bruins in scoring, turning in nine points, yet her continued effort around the Riverbank basket simply was not enough to match Orestimba down the stretch.
"We came out in that third period and made a couple turnovers in a row," Edminston said. "They were able to score some easy baskets on lay-up's and it just kind of steamrolled on."
Riverbank will look to get back on the right track as they prepare to take on the LeGrand Tournament field from Dec. 11 - 13. Riverbank has shown immediate signs of maturing and the team wants to continue with that formula.
"Right now our sole focus is on just trying to improve," Edminston said. "I think we improved with every game that we played in the Hilmar Tournament and that is all I can really ask.
"There will be some teams there (LeGrand Tournament) that we can compete with, so I am looking forward to that."
