Handshakes, hugs, uniquely designed Section title T-shirts – it was all part of the special night in Riverbank on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Many players from the varsity boys basketball team of 25 years ago gathered to celebrate the anniversary of their Sac-Joaquin Section Division 3 championship. Head coach for that team was Jeff Jennings, who was among those in attendance.
Players attending included Cesar Rojas, Mario Ramos, Josh Blount, Juan Hernandez, Ricky Villavicencio, Tino Rojas, Steve Meinert, Aaron Gentry, Andy Garcia, Joel Jimenez, Brian Rotan, Derrick Burnett and Beto Lopez.
After a trio of non-league games featuring the Bruin varsity boys teams hosting Escalon, the celebration got underway. The evening included an introduction of the players from that team in attendance, some remarks from RHS Athletic Director Juan Harvey, and a video compilation of scenes from the long-ago trip to Arco Arena in Sacramento for the game that saw Riverbank defeat a talented Sierra Timberwolves team from Manteca in the D3 title game. The final score was Riverbank 48, Sierra 47, with Aaron Gentry hitting a three-pointer at the end.
“That was the fourth time we had played that year,” Jennings said of facing off with Sierra multiple times that season. “If I remember, I think two of the games had gone into overtime, these were two teams that knew each other really well, they were extremely well coached. It wasn’t a very pretty game, it was just a tough, physical game and we were losing the entire game until we hit the three at the buzzer.”
Gentry had a foot on the NBA three-point line, Jennings added, making it an even sweeter shot.
“If you’re going to win it, that’s a heck of a way to do it,” Jennings said, smiling.
He was quick to point out that it was a total team effort, with everyone playing their role and contributing to the victory, whether it was on defense, pulling down an offensive board, or dishing out an assist.
The crowd that settled in to the gym on the RHS campus enjoyed the video, which was interspersed with interview clips with Jennings, reminiscing about the experience. He even noted that, when they arrived, the lights on the arena sign said ‘ARC ARENA’ – with the ‘O’ light being out.
Through it all, including comments from Jennings and Harvey, was the word “family”: something that Jennings said is prevalent in Riverbank. The team was a family, the school and community came out to support them and he said that hasn’t changed through the years.
“Riverbank is special,” Jennings said, adding that it was also a special experience to not only win the blue banner 25 years ago, but get a chance to reconnect with the players he coached and celebrate all over again.
“A lot of people have showed up today just to re-live it a little bit, that’s what’s fun, when everybody comes together and celebrates,” said Jennings. “And they were great kids, that was the best part of it.”
He noted that many of the players have stayed in Riverbank and continue to work with youth, are raising their families here, and remaining an active part of the community.
Harvey congratulated the team members on their accomplishment; each was also presented with a lifetime pass to attend Riverbank High School athletic events.
