NEWMAN, Calif – How did the Orestimba High girls basketball team forget about three consecutive losses?

Win back-to-back games.

After losing all its games at the Todd Messersmith Classic Invitational at Liberty Ranch High, Galt’s second high school, two weeks ago, Orestimba bounced back with two non-league wins last week.

The most recent win came at home against Venture Academy. The Warriors walked off the court with a 45-30 win on Dec. 17.

“Against Venture, I didn’t want to have a letdown game,” said Orestimba head coach Dwain Bell. “I didn’t want the girls to look ahead to the (Pittman Pride Holiday Classic) and they didn’t disappoint. We were able to play all 10 players and nine of them scored.”

Orestimba (7-4) wasted no time against Venture Academy. The Warriors jumped out to a 12-1 lead in the first quarter and held a 22-9 halftime lead.

Warrior forward Olivia Gray was the leading scorer with 10 points. Guard Shantelle Pizarro followed with eight points, Lily Rocha six and Mallory Solano five.

Three Orestimba players scored four points each in Belany Martens, Natalie Corella and Laylahni Garcia. Mirella Fregoso and Ashlynn Bell had two points each.

Gray had 10 of the Warriors 45 rebounds. Pizarro grabbed eight and Rocha six.

Orestimba 44, Downey 24

On Dec. 16, also at home, the Warriors came away with another big win over the Knights.

“Just great ball and player movement and our defense was exceptional,” said Dwain Bell.

Orestimba started the first quarter with a 15-9 scoring advantage over Downey. Then the Warriors extended their lead in the second quarter with a 14-4 run for a 29-13 halftime lead.

Gray and Ashlyn Bell had 15 and 11 points respectively for the Warriors. Corella and Fregoso chipped in with five pointe each.

Pitman Pride Holiday Classic

On Thursday, Orestimba makes the short trek to Turlock to play at the 11th annual Pitman Pride Holiday Classic.

The Warriors will face Riverbank in the first game at 4:30 p.m.

The winner of that contest will take on the Patterson-Argonaut winner on Friday at 6 p.m. The loser will take on the Patterson-Argonaut loser also on Friday but at 3 p.m.

Other schools in the 8-team classic are Merced, Mountain House, Hughson and host Pitman. All four are in the opposite bracket.

The three-day classic will end on Saturday.

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.