School may be out for the holidays, but Riverbank High School athletes have been able to squeeze in a few non-league games between the pine-scented gift giving day and the welcome in the New Year party day during the last week.

Boys Basketball

Bruin boys basketball teams hosted Waterford on Friday, Dec. 29, wrapping up the pre-season with a loss to the Wildcats, after being down by just one point at the half. The game slipped away over the second half, ending up 72-67 in favor of the visitors.

This despite an accurate last minute 3-point shot that just missed the final buzzer. However, it still would have left the Bruins two points short.

Riverbank begins its Trans-Valley League campaign in Escalon this evening, Wednesday, Jan. 3 taking on the Cougars.

Lady Bruin Soccer

The girls soccer teams also finished out their pre-season schedule, and the calendar year, on Thursday, Dec. 28, hosting East Union of Manteca, falling 6-0 to the Lady Lancers. Girls soccer won’t begin until next Monday, Jan. 8, when they, too, travel to Escalon to kick off the 2018 Trans-Valley League season. Their first home game will be next Wednesday, Jan. 10, hosting Mountain House.

Girls Basketball

Riverbank’s Lady Bruin basketball program hosted Bret Harte High School, also on Dec. 28, falling to the Lady Bullfrogs in a hard fought 51-48 contest.

The girls tip off their league basketball season tonight, Jan. 3, hosting the Lady Cougars of Escalon, with games beginning at 6 p.m. for the JV girls and 7:30 p.m. for the varsity tip off.