NEWMAN – Playing a road game right before the Thanksgiving break, the Orestimba High girls basketball team were looking to break into the win column.

But it was Merced High’s squad that came out with a 55-26 non-league victory inside the Bears’ gym on Nov. 25.

Orestimba (0-3) stayed within reach of Merced, which jumped out to a 10-6 lead after the opening quarter. But the Bears roared in the second quarter with a 12-4 scoring advantage, which led to a 22-10 halftime lead.

The Bears outscored the Warriors 33-16 in the second half.

Pacheco 41, Orestimba 39

At the Panthers’ gym in Los Banos on Nov. 24, the Warriors outscored Pacheco’s squad 25-21 in the second half. But the Panthers clawed their way to a 20-14 halftime lead, which proved to be the difference for the win.

Natalie Corella was the Warriors’ leading scorer with 19 points. Salece Machado followed in scoring with seven points and Ashlynn Bell and Mirella Fregoso six each.

The Warriors had 28 rebounds while the Panthers had 34. Fregoso had seven boards, Bell six and Corella five. Corella also had four of the team’s 16 steals and Bell and Machado each had three.

Upcoming games

On Monday, Orestimba hosted Gustine in a Westside rivalry non-league contest.

Then on Tuesday, the Warriors are home again as they welcomed Stone Ridge Christian High’s team.

This Friday and Saturday, Orestimba will compete at the Val Lugo Tournament at Los Banos High. Opponents and game times for the tournament were not available at press time.

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.