After finishing its nonleague slate to start the season, Orestimba High boys basketball began Trans-Valley League play with a 78-40 against Sonora High on Friday.

Sonora’s Rigo Estrella led all scorers with 16 points, shooting an efficient 6 for 9 from the floor. Emiliano Alvarez and Rudy Corona were the only players to score in double-digits for Orestimba with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Corona also contributed a block and steal. 

Throughout Friday’s game, the Warriors were mismatched in height against the Wildcats. That issue became apparent when Sonora outrebounded 34-16, which led to two-chance opportunities. Sonora also got to the charity stripe more, attempting 28 free throws to Orestimba’s 22. The Wildcats were efficient from the field overall, shooting 45% to the Warriors’ 21%.

Sonora started the game on a 18-0 scoring run through scoring in the paint and at the free-throw line. Orestimba couldn’t find their rhythm offensively, scoring three points in the first quarter after Alvarez made a 3-pointer in the final minute of the period.

Sonora continued its momentum in the second quarter, outscoring the Warriors 18-9 in the period for a 36-12 halftime lead. From that point on, the Wildcats continued to expand their lead and outscored Orestimba 42-28 in the second half. The deficit was too much for the Warriors to overcome.   

 As the Warriors fall to 6-11 overall, they will travel to Ripon High (5-12) on Wednesday. Tipoff for Wednesday’s game will begin at 7:30 p.m. Orestimba will look to get the program’s first-ever win against Ripon, who are 12-0 all-time against the Warriors.