By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Plenty Of Preseason Contests Keep Bruin Squads Busy
Avah 12-13
Riverbank’s Avah Luu, gets sandwiched by two Golden Valley defenders in the first quarter of varsity girls basketball action on Tuesday, Dec. 5, on the home court. The Lady Bruins soon took control of the game, finishing with a 58-8 win over the Cougars from Merced, in preseason play.

The 2023-24 preseason schedule continues for winter sports athletes at Riverbank High School. This week brings the last of those non-league contests, as well as finals for student-athletes in the classroom, for the calendar year. Shortly after the winter break, in January, Trans-Valley League play will begin for the soccer, basketball and wrestling teams.

 

Bruin Basketball

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, Riverbank traveled to Angels Camp, falling 51-41 to the Bullfrogs of Bret Harte High School. On Saturday, Dec. 9, they traveled to Ceres to take on the Eagles of Central Valley High School, falling there, 66-35. The Bruins still have team members serving suspensions from a previous bench-clearing incident but will have a full team for the start of TVL play.

This week, they’re scheduled to play at Oakdale on Friday, Dec. 15 and, during the holiday break, next Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Grace Davis in Modesto.

 

Lady Bruin Basketball

Riverbank’s basketball girls hosted Golden Valley High School of Merced on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The varsity Lady Bruins finished on top by the lopsided score of 58-8. The visiting Cougars only scored two points in the second half. It was a pre-season game. On Thursday, Dec. 7 it was Weston Ranch that came to town from Stockton. Again, it was a blowout for the Lady Bruins, as they took down Weston Ranch by a final of 77-18.

The girls were scheduled to play at Del Oro High School on Dec. 12, and this weekend, Thursday through Saturday, they will take on teams as they play in the Manteca Christmas Classic. They will open up with a 4:30 p.m. game on Dec. 14 against Fairfield.

 

Bruin Soccer

Action on Tuesday, Dec. 5 saw Riverbank travel to Modesto High, falling 6-1 to the Panthers. On Thursday last week, they hosted Venture Academy out of Stockton, losing by a 3-2 final to the Mustangs. They were to host Summerville High School from Tuolumne County on Dec. 12 and then hit the road to compete Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 14 through 16, at a tournament in Clovis.

 

Lady Bruin Soccer

Lady Bruin soccer action saw the girls head out on the road Monday, Dec. 4 to face Delhi in preseason play, falling 2-1 to the host Hawks. From there, they went to Mountain House on Thursday, Dec. 7, losing in a shutout to the Lady Mustangs, 8-0. They’re set to play at Summerville on Dec. 13, then host McNair on Dec. 14, returning to the home pitch to host Sonora next Tuesday, Dec. 19.

SALAS 12-13
Bruin Jayme Salas intercepts a pass from Venture Academy in first half preseason action of varsity boys soccer at home on Thursday, Dec. 7. The Bruins fell 3-2 to the Mustangs from Stockton.
TONGSON 12-13
Senior point guard Kaelyn Tongson, 12, gets up a shot for two points over Golden Valley defenders, in the second quarter of a preseason varsity girls basketball game at home.
YAHIR 12-13
Midfielder Yahir Gonzalez handles the ball in the first half of Bruin varsity boys soccer on the home field on Thursday, Dec. 7. Riverbank fell to Venture Academy from Stockton, 3-2, in the preseason match.