By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Lady Bruins Still Searching For TVL Win
35674a.jpg
35674a
In a league that contains one of the better girls' basketball squads in the area, the Riverbank Lady Bruins stumbled again during recent Trans-Valley League action, leaving Riverbank's varsity winless thus far during TVL play.

After falling behind the Modesto Christian Crusaders by nearly 50 points after one half of play, the Lady Bruins were unable to find the answer in the second half, either, losing to Modesto Christian 86-15 for Riverbank's most lopsided defeat of the season.

Riverbank could not get anything started against the TVL leading Crusaders, failing to put up double-digit points in any of the four quarters. The Crusaders (10-0) had no such problems, posting 31 points on the Lady Bruins in the opening period and closing out the contest with four players in double figures.

Riverbank was able to get its flow back against the Hughson Huskies, yet faltered down the stretch, losing to the Huskies 51-42 for its ninth consecutive loss in TVL play.

The Lady Bruins trailed the Huskies 24-21 after the first two periods of action, but allowed a dismal third period to leave the Lady Bruins still searching for that first league victory.

The Lady Bruins were able to match Hughson in the final period of play, yet the six point differential in the third period of play proved to be too steep of a mountain for Riverbank to climb.

Jaylene Thomas held the hot hand for the Lady Bruins in the loss to Hughson, pouring in a team-high 12 points in the loss. Teammate Irene Castillo chipped in six points for the Lady Bruins top round out the scoring leaders.

In action at Escalon to open up a busy week, the varsity girls lost a 48-20 contest to the host Lady Cougars on Monday, Jan. 28, going 0-for-3 during the week.

Riverbank will need to execute at a high level over the league's final two weeks of action, giving the Lady Bruins a shot to get in the win column before season's end. Riverbank will lock up with the Ripon Indians on the road Feb. 7, followed by a home game against the Escalon Cougars Feb. 11.

Ripon will come into the contest as the TVL's second place team and fine-tuning things for expected post-season action, whereas the Cougars will likely be Riverbank's most legitimate shot at a win.

Things will not get any easier for the Lady Bruins as they close out TVL play with a trip to Salida for their final meeting with the league-leading Crusaders at Modesto Christian High.

Riverbank's contest against Ripon High will tip-off at 7:30 p.m., while the Escalon game will begin at 8 p.m.