NEWMAN – After losing its first three games of the season, the Orestimba High girls basketball team seems to have put the pieces together that have built wins in recent games.
The Warriors’ latest game came on Saturday, competing at the Val Lugo Tournament at Los Banos High. The opponent was Lathrop High’s team, which pulled out a 46-35 win.
Despite the loss, Orestimba improved its record to 3-5 this season. The Warriors have won three of their last five games.
“Saturday was a great game between two teams that were well-coached,” said Orestimba head coach Dwain Bell. “The game was closer than the game showed.”
Lathrop led 24-14 at halftime. But Orestimba rallied in the third quarter, outscoring the Spartans 16-12 for a 36-30 score. Lathrop took charge in the final 8 minutes of the game with a 10-5 run for the victory.
“We fought back to get within four in the third quarter,” Bell said. “We just couldn’t complete the comeback all the way. I’m super proud of the way the girls held their own and never quit. This team has a fight in them, and they understand that we win on the defensive side of the ball.”
Natalie Corella, who was named to the all-tournament team, had 16 points for the Warriors. Ashlynn Bell followed with 13 points.
Orestimba 24, Los Banos 19
In Friday’s game against the host team, Corella scored about one-third of the team’s points with nine. Ashlynn Bell and Salece Machado contributed five points each.
Los Banos led 13-10 at halftime. But Orestimba outscored Los Banos 14-6 in the second half to get the win.
Orestimba 53, Dos Palos 11
The Warriors jumped out to a 13-1 lead after the first quarter in Thursday’s tournament opener and coasted the rest of the way for the victory.
Bell was Orestimba’s leading scorer with 14 points. Corella followed with 12, Machado nine, Laylahni Garcia seven and Cayla Finley six.
Stone Ridge Christian 36, Orestimba 35
In a non-league game inside the Warriors’ gym on Dec. 2, Orestimba outscored Stone Ridge 13-4 in the fourth quarter to almost pull out the come-from-behind win. The Knights led 32-22 after three quarters.
Machado was the Warriors’ leading scorer with 11 points. Corella followed with 10 and Bell eight.
Orestimba 73 Gustine 6
The non league rivalry game was a trouncing by the Warriors, who tallied up a massive lead while keeping the Reds shutdown on the scoreboard.
Upcoming games
This Thursday through Saturday, Orestimba will make the journey to the south part of Sacramento County to compete at the Todd Messersmith Classic Invitational at Liberty Ranch High of Galt.
The Warriors open the tournament against Hiram Johnson High’s team out of Sacramento on Thursday at 5:30 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 @mikebushmedia
