NEWMAN, Calif – A large home crowd seemed to have motivated the Orestimba High boys basketball team.
Hosting Sonora in a Trans-Valley League game on Friday, Orestimba, which was celebrating its winter homecoming, didn’t disappoint Warrior fans as it played hard that led to a 75-64 win.
The victory also snapped a nine-game losing skid for Orestimba (1-6 in the TVL, 6-16 overall).
“Great win on homecoming and just so happy for our players,” said Orestimba head coach Charles Kothenbeutel. “The crowd was also a huge boost to our team.”
The Warriors were ahead 39-17 at halftime.
“We started off the game really under control,” Kothenbeutel said. “Our game plan was to be patient on offense and get the shots we wanted. The kids really stepped up, especially at the end of the second quarter.”
Sonora (6-2 in the TVL, 15-8) cut the Warriors’ lead to five in the fourth quarter. But Orestimba hung on to win.
“Sonora is an incredible team, and we knew they were going to make a run.”
Three Warrior players scored in double figures against the Wildcats. Matthew Wales led the way with 21 points, Rudy Corona 20 and Devon Bell 17.
“Matthew and Rudy shot the ball incredibly, well which helped us get the early lead,” Kothenbeutel said. “Matthew also hit some very clutch free throws for us.”
Bell had a double-double for the Warriors, grabbing 17 rebounds. Orestimba finished with 44 on the night.
Kothenbeutel felt another strong point to the game was the play of Jacob Valenzuela and Bell controlling the tempo of the game.
Patterson 79, Orestimba 45
In a Westside non-league game at Patterson on Jan. 27, the Warriors and Tigers were tied 12-12 after the first quarter.
Then Patterson took charge in the second quarter, outscoring Orestimba 26-8 for a 38-20 halftime lead. The Tigers also outscored the Warriors in the fourth quarter, 23-6, to secure the win.
Three Orestimba players also scored in double figures in this game. Corona led the way with 13 points, Emiliano Alvarez 11 and Bell 10.
Bell had another double-double game for Orestimba, grabbing 12 of the team’s 26 rebounds. Corona had five boards and Alvarez four.
Upcoming games
On Tuesday, Orestimba played at Ripon.
This Friday, the Warriors continue TVL action as they will host Hilmar. Then on Saturday, Orestimba plays at Hughson. Both games are scheduled to start 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.
