NEWMAN, Calif – Three wins in six days.
That is exactly what the Orestimba High boys basketball team did last week, all preseason games before starting Trans-Valley League action toward the end of this week.
In all three of those games, one Warrior player pulled off a hat trick in recording a double-double in scoring and rebounding.
Here is a look at each of those final preseason games for the Warriors, who have won their last four games.
Orestimba 78, Delhi 33
Taking on its former Southern Athletic League rival in a home game on Saturday, Orestimba (5-7) jumped out to a 29-5 lead after the first that expanded to 54-11 at halftime.
Four Warrior players scored in double digits in the win over the Hawks. Rudy Corona led the way with 18 points, followed by Devon Bell at 14, Matthew Wales 11 and Michael Maier 10.
Bell concluded the Warriors’ third game with his third double-double, as he pulled down 12 of the Warriors’ 28 rebounds.
Bell, along with Wales and Emiliano Alvarez, had three steals each. Orestimba finished with 16 in the game.
Orestimba 65, Millennium 40
In another preseason home game on Jan. 3, the Warriors broke free from an 11-11 first quarter scoring as they outscored the visitors by a 29-6 margin in the second quarter. That led to a 40-17 advantage at halftime.
Bell also had a double-double in this game, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Warriors had 40 boards in the game.
Other Orestimba scorers were Corona with 17 points, Jaden Sotelo six, Traveyon Wright Jr. five and Brett Gray four.
Orestimba 59, Delhi 37
The Warriors and Hawks met for the first time on Dec. 30.
Same story but different day for Orestimba, as it jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the first quarter. Then the Warriors extended their lead in the second quarter with a 15-9 score, leading to a 27-14 lead at halftime.
The Warriors sealed the win in the third quarter with another strong offensive showing, 21-12. Orestimba entered the final quarter with a 48-26 lead.
Bell was the leading scorer with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Orestimba had 44 boards in the game.
Alvarez followed in scoring with 10 points. Four Warrior players scored six points each in the win over the Hawks: Corona, Sotelo, Maier and Wright Jr.
Preseason game, TVL
On Wednesday, Orestimba plays another non-league game at Los Banos High at 7 p.m.
Then the Warriors begin TVL action on Friday, when they play at Sonora (9-6). Tipoff is scheduled at 7 p.m.
Orestimba will play its second league game, hosting Ripon (7-8) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, which is also scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
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.
