Local high school basketball tournaments for both boys and girls teams closed out a busy week of pre-season sports action. And boys and girls soccer were on the pitch here as well.
Girls Basketball Tournament
While boys basketball was playing in Riverbank at the end of the week, the Lady Bruins were doing well at the Pete Arellano Memorial Tournament, hosted by the Escalon Lions Club.
Coach Janelle Luu reports that her varsity team took on Bret Harte from Angels Camp in the first round, last Wednesday, winning 68-61.
“Taylor Macias led scoring with 28 points and 15 rebounds,” she said. “Livi Fernandez chipped in 23 points.”
In the winner’s bracket semi-final round, Thursday, they met Central Catholic, of Modesto, winning that game, 52-28, “with Chancis Gamez leading the way with 19 points,” said Luu.
The championship game pitted Riverbank against the home team Escalon Lady Cougars. Luu said her team brought home first place honors, beating Escalon 60-41, on Friday.
She said Gamez was named MVP of the Tournament, while Macias received first squad, all-tournament team honors.
Luu also reported that the younger Lady Bruins, the JV girls, were awarded the consolation championship in their round.
Bruin Basketball Busy
Last week saw a lot of boys basketball, too.
Monday brought the Foundation Game to the Ray Fauria Memorial Gymnasium. Riverbank hosted Johansen of Modesto in the special game, played across the north state.
The Bruins just couldn’t seem to get any momentum going, being behind at the end of every quarter, ending up down 72-53 to the Vikings by game’s end.
Thursday through Saturday saw Riverbank basketball hosting the annual Ron Peterson Tip-Off Tournament, in the Fauria Gym, while JV teams played a tournament in the Bruin Gym.
On Dec. 2, the Bruins hosted Big Valley Christian High School, from Modesto, in the night cap game. Riverbank got a good start in this game, besting the Lions, 82-35.
The second night, RHS hosted Calaveras, from San Andreas, but didn’t fare as well. Down by just a few points at the end of each frame, the Bruins came up short at the end, as well, 55-45.
On Saturday, Dec. 4, Riverbank competed in the consolation bracket, playing in the third/fourth place game against Patterson’s Tigers. Ahead by a slim margin after the first quarter, they were down by just one point at the half.
They were down by five after the third frame and ended up losing 61-57, taking fourth place out of the eight-team field.
Former opponent Calaveras went on to play Ripon Christian in the championship game, which saw the Knights finish in first place.
Other schools participating in the tournament were Denair, Waterford, and Summerville.
Boys Soccer
Bruin boys hit the pitch starting on Monday last week, with a pre-season match at home against Central Catholic, on Nov. 29.
Coach Juan Harvey pointed out that his varsity did well, with many players scoring more than once.
He listed his scorers: “Co-captain Gonzalo Luna scored four goals, as did Jose Rodriguez. Andre Chia scored twice, while co-captain Aaron Loaiza, Esteban Rios and Eric Verduzco scored once each.”
Final score was 13-1.
Harvey reported a victory in Oakdale, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2-0.
“It was a great early season test for our team especially with a great environment that was provided by a big crowd,” Harvey said.
Goal scorers were Andre Chia and Alan Gonzalez with one goal each.
“Gael Loaiza and Cesar Cardenas combined for the shutout,” he added of his netminders.
Lady Bruin Soccer
The girls went to Johansen High on Monday, Nov. 29, falling just short, 3-2.
On Wednesday, Dec. 1, they hosted McNair High School from Stockton, coming out on top here, 3-1.
On Friday, they lost to Ripon Christian, 2-1, in the Manteca Tournament, following that up with a 3-1 victory over Waterford, in the Saturday contest.
This Week’s Schedule
With all the hubbub, both on courts and fields here, as well as on the road, RHS teams were to have a lighter load this week, on the road.
Boys basketball had a game scheduled at Bret Harte on Dec. 7, and a tournament at Turlock High scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 9 through 11.
Girls basketball was scheduled to play at Beyer High in Modesto on Monday, and at Mariposa High on Dec. 8. They also are due to take the court in Ceres on Dec. 9.
Bruin soccer was scheduled to play in Lathrop on Monday, and at Weston Ranch in Stockton on Dec. 8.
Girls soccer was set to play at Stagg High in Stockton on Tuesday, Dec. 7, and at Livingston next Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Riverbank teams won’t be returning to home fields until later next week.
