NEWMAN, Calif – Three points.

That is the number that separated the Orestimba High girls basketball team from its Trans-Valley League opponents in two games last week.

Here is a look at those games for Orestimba (1-2 in the TVL, 9-8 overall).

Hilmar 33, Orestimba 30

Making the short trek to their Westside rivals on Friday, the Warriors used great defense, giving up only two points to the Yellowjackets through most of the third quarter. But Hilmar canned a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut into Orestimba’s lead at 26-24.

The fourth quarter was a “battle,” according to Orestimba head coach Dwain Bell. The Warriors only scored four points.

“But we kept sticking around,” Bell said in terms of trying to find a way to score.

Hilmar came away with the win when an Orestimba player missed a 3-pointetr at the buzzer, which would have sent the game into overtime.

Leading scorers for the Warriors were Lilly Rocha with 10 points, Natalie Corella seven points, Olivia Gray six, Shantelle Pizarro three and Mirella Fregoso and Leylani Garcia each had two.

Ripon 41, Orestimba 38

In their second meeting in less than a month – they met in the second round of the Todd Messersmith Classic Invitational at Liberty Ranch High of Galt in December – the Warriors had another chance to tie the game at Ripon on Jan. 14 with another 3-point opportunity. But the basketball went in and out with 16 seconds left in the contest.

Ripon led 23-14 at halftime. Then the Warriors’ offense outscored the Indians by a 24-18 margin in the second half.

“It was a greater effort by the girls to fight back,” Bell said.

Ashlynn Bell led the scoring with 20 points. Gray followed with 11 points, Natalie Corella four and Pizarro three.

Now Ripon is 2-0 against Orestimba this season. Their final meeting of the regular season will be on Feb. 4 when the Warriors host the Indians.

Upcoming games

On Tuesday, Orestimba continues TVL action at Hughson.

Moving to Thursday, the Warriors are back on the road again, this time at Ripon Christian. The game time is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.

Orestimba will host Escalon on Friday that is also scheduled to tipoff 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.