SONORA, Calif – Opening Trans-Valley League action on the road Friday, the Orestimba High girls’ basketball team came back to the Westside of Stanislaus County with a win.

Taking on Sonora’s squad, Orestimba, in its first season in the TVL, used its defense to post a 37-35 win over the host Wildcats.

“Sonora did a great job of fighting to get within two,” said Orestimba head coach Dwain Bell, “but our defense came through in the clutch to pull out the win.”

Orestimba (1-0 in the TVL, 9-6 overall) led 32-24 entering the fourth quarter. Sonora’s offense and defense combined for an 11-5 scoring in the quarter, but the Warriors’ defense was solid for the win.

Orestimba held a 22-16 lead at halftime. The Warriors jumped out to a 14-7 advantage after the first quarter.

Warrior forward Olivia Gray had a game-high 19 points in the game. Forward Ashlynn Bell had nine points, guard Lily Rocha six points and guard Natalie Corella three points.

Orestimba had 23 rebounds in the game. Gray had a double-double in the game, as she grabbed 10 boards off the glass. Ashlynn Bell had eight rebounds and Mirella Solano five.

Bell and Shantelle Pizarro had four assists each. The Warriors had 12 assists in the contest.

On Tuesday, Orestimba hits the road again when it plays at Ripon (1-0 in the TVL, 8-9). This will be the second meeting in less than a month between the Warriors and Indians. Ripon posted a 41-39 win over Orestimba at the Todd Messersmith Classic Invitational at Liberty Ranch High of Galt on Dec. 14.

This Friday, the Warriors play at Hilmar (1-1 in the TVL, 3-10). Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Escalon defeated Hilmar by a 42-24 score on Friday. But the Yellowjackets picked up their first league win of the season with a 31-22 score over Ripon Christian on Jan. 7.

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.