Heroic efforts from Riverbank High freshman Olivia Luu propelled the varsity Lady Bruins past Ripon and Hughson in key Trans-Valley League contests to close the regular season.
The wins gave Riverbank much-needed percentage points to multiply onto the TVL power ratings for a sixth place seeding into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV bracket.
The Lady Bruins hosted No. 11 seed Bret Harte on Tuesday in first round action, but results were not available at press time. A win would propel Riverbank to face the winner of No. 3 West Campus and No. 14 Linden on Thursday.
"There are no weak teams left to play," Riverbank coach Tim Carnes said on Sunday. "Everybody is starting to peak and it's all coming together."
Carnes credits the recent production to a devastating 47-41 loss to Hilmar on Feb. 6. The loss fueled the fire for a 51-49 upset of fifth-seeded Ripon on Feb. 14 and kept the team rolling during a 64-51 win over Hughson on Feb. 16.
"When we lost to Hilmar there was a big emotional breakdown on the team and we were forced to refocus," Carnes said. "That's probably the best thing that could have happened to us."
The Lady Bruins jumped to a 28-18 lead on Ripon to open the contest and outlasted their opponents in a 31-23 second half rally in the Indians' favor.
Ripon standout Ruth Waters scored 26 points, but couldn't match the production of Luu, who tallied 32 points with six steals and a sterling 8-for-9 effort from the free throw line.
Janelle Luu added seven points and seven rebounds while Tiffany Edgar (six rebounds) and Angel Harrell each scored six points. Two days later, the varsity girls overcame a vigorous full court press from Hughson to best the division's 13th-seeded team in a 64-51 toppling.
Luu trumped her performance earlier in the week with 36 points, five rebounds and six steals. Edgar added a season high 18 points with nine rebounds while Janelle Luu (four points, eight rebounds) and Harrell (four points) also contributed.
The wins gave Riverbank much-needed percentage points to multiply onto the TVL power ratings for a sixth place seeding into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV bracket.
The Lady Bruins hosted No. 11 seed Bret Harte on Tuesday in first round action, but results were not available at press time. A win would propel Riverbank to face the winner of No. 3 West Campus and No. 14 Linden on Thursday.
"There are no weak teams left to play," Riverbank coach Tim Carnes said on Sunday. "Everybody is starting to peak and it's all coming together."
Carnes credits the recent production to a devastating 47-41 loss to Hilmar on Feb. 6. The loss fueled the fire for a 51-49 upset of fifth-seeded Ripon on Feb. 14 and kept the team rolling during a 64-51 win over Hughson on Feb. 16.
"When we lost to Hilmar there was a big emotional breakdown on the team and we were forced to refocus," Carnes said. "That's probably the best thing that could have happened to us."
The Lady Bruins jumped to a 28-18 lead on Ripon to open the contest and outlasted their opponents in a 31-23 second half rally in the Indians' favor.
Ripon standout Ruth Waters scored 26 points, but couldn't match the production of Luu, who tallied 32 points with six steals and a sterling 8-for-9 effort from the free throw line.
Janelle Luu added seven points and seven rebounds while Tiffany Edgar (six rebounds) and Angel Harrell each scored six points. Two days later, the varsity girls overcame a vigorous full court press from Hughson to best the division's 13th-seeded team in a 64-51 toppling.
Luu trumped her performance earlier in the week with 36 points, five rebounds and six steals. Edgar added a season high 18 points with nine rebounds while Janelle Luu (four points, eight rebounds) and Harrell (four points) also contributed.
