LOS BANOS, Calif – In its only game last week, the Orestimba High boys’ basketball team picked up its first win of the season.

Making the short trek into Merced County to play Pacheco High’s squad, the Warriors returned to Newman with a 50-39 over Los Banos’ second public high school on Dec. 11.

Hanging onto a 25-23 halftime lead, Orestimba (1-6 overall) used a strong defense in the second half to hold the Panthers to only 16 combined points in the final 16 minutes of the contest. Pacheco scored only nine points in the third quarter and seven in the final.

The Warriors scored 12 points in the third quarter and 13 in the final eight minutes of the contest. Ironically, Orestimba scored the same amount of points in the first and second quarters respectively.

Orestimba front man Devon Bell was the leading scorer with 22 points. Alan Gamboa and Jacob Valenzuela each scored six points, while Matt Wales and Brett Gray scored five points each.

The Warriors pulled down 49 rebounds in the game.

Bell had a double-double night for his team, pulling down 20 boards off the glass. Valenzuela followed with eight rebounds, Gray six and Gamboa five.

Valenzuela had the hot hand in distributing the ball for the Warriors, as he had four of the team’s eight assists. He also had six steals. Orestimba finished with 14 in the game.

Orestimba head coach Charles Kothenbeutel is proud of his team’s accomplishments in the road game against Pacheco.

“Solid defensive effort all around,” Kothenbeutel said. “I thought our full-court press sparked energy for our guys and really carried us through the day.”

The coach also pointed out that Warrior players in Emiliano Alvarez and Michael Maier contributed greatly to the press and put pressure on the opposing guards.

“Great to get the first win of the year and to do it on the road is very encouraging for the future,” Kothenbeutel said.

On Monday, Orestimba continued its preseason schedule at Tracy High. The results of the game were not available at press time.

On Thursday, Orestimba will host Westside rival Gustine in a non-league game. The tipoff is scheduled at 7 p.m.

Then the Warriors are off until Monday, Dec. 30, when they host Riverbank in a non-league game. The game time is scheduled at 7 p.m.