The sounds of activity have returned to Riverbank High School’s courts and fields, with several sports taking up summer practices.

Both boys and girls basketball have returned to the gyms, both practicing in the mornings, at the same time, with the Bruins in the Ray Fauria Memorial Gymnasium, while the Lady Bruins work out in the Bruin Gym next door.

Where the girls are concentrating on drills to improve their skills, the boys are similarly working out mornings, but also participating in ‘summer ball,’ playing from time to time against other nearby school-based teams.

And both teams are headed up by Bruin alumni, with RHS grad and former player Ylii Lopez leading the boys varsity group, taking over for longtime coach Jeff Jennings, who retired from coaching after this past season. At the same time, Janelle Lu, a former Lady Bruin, and graduate of Jessup College, guides the varsity girls’ efforts.

Workouts for the hoopsters include passing, ball handing and shooting drills, along with some scrimmage activity.

Later in the day, workouts have begun for Bruin football players, outside on the practice field.

Sticking pretty close to the available shade during the warmer part of the early evening, players are working on staying in shape, with running, blocking and pass catching drills assisted by a cadre of coaches.

Despite the COVID disruption of the past sports seasons, Riverbank players all hope to be ready for the near normal sports schedules of the upcoming school year.