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Winter Sports Ending Soon, Spring Around The Corner
RHS Luna
Bruin Gonzalo Luna, 12, races a Livingston opponent down the field at the home varsity boys soccer match this past week. After a long, hard battle, Riverbank came down on the short side of the 2-0 final score. RIC MCGINNIS/THE NEWS

The weather has been better lately, much to the delight of the Bruin high school soccer teams who often play in rain and fog. It’s a harbinger of spring sports coming onto the horizon shortly.

In the meantime, winter season sports at Riverbank High School near the end of their schedules. Just a few weeks left, and a handful of home games to watch.

 

Bruin Soccer

Riverbank varsity boys soccer players had two matches last week. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, they hosted Livingston and took a 2-0 loss, then on Thursday, they traveled to Hughson, where they suffered a 4-0 loss.

They were to host the Indians of Ripon High School in league play on Feb. 4.

 

Lady Bruin Soccer

Varsity girls soccer hosted Hughson on Wednesday, Jan. 29, falling by a final of 3-2.

With a number of Riverbank JV players unable to complete the season due to grades, those remaining have been moved up to the varsity squad. That made it a bit confusing for spectators to follow the action this past week. There aren’t enough colored jerseys for all those players, so the varsity has had to switch to playing in their white, away game jerseys for both home and away matches. Apparently Hughson didn’t get the word, and showed up in their white uniforms, too. So Riverbank donned their green practice mesh over their white uniforms, but that made it difficult to see jersey numbers for the Lady Bruins.

They were to travel to Ripon on Feb. 4 for another Trans-Valley League match up.

 

Bruin Basketball

The varsity boys basketball squad lost a heartbreaker at home on Wednesday, Jan. 29. After leading the game for most of the first half and zeroing in on a win, the Yellowjackets of Hilmar turned the tables and stung the host Bruins, ending the game ahead, 64-61.

On Friday, Jan. 31, the Bruins traveled to nearby Escalon and prevailed to ruin the Cougars’ Homecoming contest, taking a 44-36 victory off the court.

It was the defense that made the difference, as the Bruins allowed only four players to get on the scoreboard for Escalon.

 

Lady Bruin Basketball

Another heartbreaker stymied the varsity girls basketball team last week. They, too, have JV players moved up to the roster due to losing players to grade eligibility.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Riverbank traveled to Hilmar, suffering a 49-23 loss to the host Lady Yellowjackets.

The heartbreak came on Thursday, when the Lady Bruins hosted Escalon. Although RHS was ahead 18-11 at the half, the Lady Cougars fought back, recording a 27-25 win for the visitors.

The hardest part was the fourth quarter, where Riverbank scored only one point, on a free throw, in the whole frame.