NEWMAN, Calif – Entering the second to final week of the regular season, the Orestimba High boys’ basketball team was looking to make some noise in one more non-league game, plus three Trans-Valley League games.
The Warriors did just that.
Here is the breakdown of those games for Orestimba (3-7 in the TVL, 8-18 overall).
Livingston 72, Orestimba 70
In a non-league home game on Saturday, three Warrior players scored in double figures. Mathew Wales led the way with 20 points, Alan Gamboa followed with 14 and Devon Bell 12. Jacob Valenzuela contributed with seven points and Michael Maier six.
“Tough to play three games in a row but we battled for four quarters,” said Orestimba head coach Charles Kothenbeutel. “(The) team has worked hard and we are looking forward to the last two league games of the season.”
Orestimba 66, Hughson 59 (double OT)
In a league road game on Friday, the game was knotted at 53-all after four quarters.
Entering the second overtime quarter, after both teams scored three points each in the first OT, the Warriors outscored the Huskies 10-3 to record the victory.
“Great win to give us our third league victory,” Kothenbeutel said. “Shows our growth and balance the second half of the season.”
Bell was the Warriors’ leading scorer with 20 points. Rudy Corona followed in scoring with 15 points, Emiliano Alverez and Valenzuela had 10 points each, Wales nine and Maier five.
Orestimba 50, Hilmar 48
The Warriors hosted the Yellowjackets in a Feb. 6 league game.
Hilmar outscored Orestimba in the second half, 31-28. But the Warriors hung on to take out the sting out of the Yellowjackets, who also have a below .500 record at 2-8 in league and 7-18 overall.
Bell had a double-double in the game for Orestimba with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Wales was next in scoring with 10 points, Corona eight and Valenzuela four.
The Warriors cleaned the glass with 33 rebounds, while Hilmar had 31. Valenzuela had eight boards.
Ripon 62, Orestimba 42
The Warriors made the trek to Ripon on Feb. 4, the host Indians broke free from a close 31-22 halftime lead by outscoring Orestimba 17-8 in the third quarter for a 48-30 score.
The game was close in the first half. Ripon outscored the Warriors 19-10 in the first quarter. The two teams had 12 points each in the second quarter, with the host Indians hanging onto a 31-22 lead.
Bell had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors. Corona followed with 12 points, Wales seven and Alvarez six.
Upcoming games
On Wednesday, Orestimba will play at Ripon Christian.
Then on Friday, the Warriors entertain Escalon in the TVL finale for both teams.
The game times for both games are scheduled at 7 p.m.
Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushphotography.
