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Winter Sports Teams Face Trans-Valley League Foes
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Riverbank senior Diego Felix pulls away from the Escalon defense in last Wednesday’s varsity boys basketball game against Escalon. The fourth quarter action ended in a 55-55 tie, with the Bruins pulling out a 61-59 victory with a buzzer-beater to close out the four-minute overtime period. The game kicked off the Trans-Valley League schedule for both teams. Ric McGinnis/The News

Riverbank High students resumed classes this week, but last week, the new year brought the beginning of Trans-Valley League play for athletes on winter sports teams. The continuing rainfall has made it difficult for RHS soccer teams, both boys and girls, to be able to play their home matches on the flooded field. Basketball squads have seen some league action.

 

Bruin Basketball

TVL games began for boys basketball last week, with two home games. Escalon visited on Wednesday, Jan. 4, fighting to a tie by the end of regulation time. The Bruins, however, sank a “buzzer-beater” basket at the end of the four-minute overtime, finishing with the 61-59 victory over the Cougars and winning their first league game.

On Friday, Jan. 6, RHS couldn’t repeat the feat, falling 54-52, to the visiting Indians of Ripon High. They’ll be on the road this week, scheduled to play at Hughson on Jan. 11 and at Waterford for non-league action on Friday, Jan. 13. Then they are home to host Ripon Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

 

Lady Bruin Basketball

RHS girls were on the road last Tuesday, Jan. 3, finishing with a hard-fought, come-from-behind 58-56 victory at Escalon, to kick off their TVL season. On Thursday, the were in Ripon, taking the game by a lopsided 63-26 margin. Their TVL record stands at 2-0, with a 14-2 overall tally. Tuesday, Jan. 10, they were to host Hughson, with the game played after press time for The News. They travel next Tuesday, Jan. 17 to face Ripon Christian.

 

Bruin Soccer

Last Thursday, Jan. 5, boys soccer teams traveled to Escalon, not playing on their home field, with the varsity Bruins settling for a 2-2 tie in their first TVL contest of the year. Only the varsity team was in action, as the game was moved to Escalon and they had only one field available for use. Riverbank’s scheduled non-league match against Enochs High School from Modesto was canceled last Tuesday.

They were scheduled to play at Hughson on Jan. 10, weather and field conditions permitting, and at Livingston on Thursday, Jan. 12.

 

Lady Bruin Soccer

Girls soccer is also facing the rain problem, with an earlier home match against Escalon rescheduled for later in the spring. The girls were scheduled to play against Hughson on Jan. 10, and then on Thursday, Jan. 12 against Livingston. Whether the games are actually played will likely be determined by the weather and if suitable fields are available for use.

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Riverbank’s Michael Soriano, 3, splits the Ripon defense, in third quarter varsity boys basketball action at home on Friday, Jan. 6. The Bruins worked to come from behind, but still fell to the Indians, 54-52. Ric McGinnis/The News