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Warriors defeat Reds in rematch and earn SAL league title
OHS vs GHS
The Reds’ Brooklyn Jackson (22) blocks Warriors’ attempt to score at the net. - photo by Alex Ramirez

Gustine Reds girls’ basketball had their rematch opportunity with Orestimba High School, but it would not end they way they hoped, with the Warriors claiming the hard-fought victory, 37-20 on Thursday night.

“We compete for championships, they don’t,” said Warriors coach Adrian Stevens. “We’re a motivated program and they gave us extra motivation with the last article saying that they wanted us, so they got us. It was the same outcome.”

That’s exactly what the Warriors showed up to do - win. The Warriors program focuses on one game at a time. And the Gustine Reds were their only focus last week. With less than five minutes left in the second half would have the score still at 18-12, Warriors up and Reds fighting to redeem themselves. 

“Everything is one-and-one. You know, it’s one game at a time. We never look back. We never look ahead. It’s about us getting better first, and then we focus on whoever the opponent is,” said Stevens.

The Warriors scoring leaders would contribute to their 37-20 victory on Thursday. Ashlynn Bell (22) led the team in scoring with 10-points total. Olivia Gray (54) would trail with 9-points total scored. Defensively, Kelsey Maninha (20) and Jenessa Gonzales (5) would contribute two blocks for the night. The Warriors stood their ground and outworked the Reds.

After earning the SAL league title, the Warriors enter their first round of Division 4 CIF SJS playoffs. But before entering the round, they travel to Argonaut High at 7 p.m. on Monday for the play-in game. A win will earn a spot in the first round of Division 4 CIF SJS playoffs against Colfax High School on Feb. 13.

“We believe that defense travels and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to depend on our defense. And there’s no pressure on these girls because no one expected them to do what they do,” said Stevens.