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BOYS HOOPS: Buffs get needed win
Victor, Manteca seek improvement after knocking off Timberwolves
Bulletin boys basketball 2018-19
Manteca guard Isaiah Victor elevates over Sierra’s John Elijah (25) and Ryan Borgeson (22) for a tough shot in transition on Tuesday. - photo by Photo By Sean Kahler

The last time Isaiah Victor was at Sierra’s gym he hit a game-winning jumper to send Lathrop to a thrilling overtime victory.
He returned on Tuesday but wore a different jersey.
The 6-foot-2 guard and All-Valley Oak League first-team selection played just his sixth game of the season for Manteca High after serving the CIF’s Sit-Out Period for transfers. Victor finished with a game-high 15 points to go with seven rebounds and helped the Buffaloes garner a much-needed 50-38 victory.
“We were coming off a tough loss against Vallejo and we had a real tough start in league against Central Catholic," Victor said. "Having this win, especially with them having a higher (MaxPreps ranking) than us, it really boosts our confidence and gives us momentum going into our next game.
“We’re still working on the chemistry because my cousin (Domonick Victor) and I had to sit out,” he added. “We’re trying to get back into the rhythm that we had in summer league.”
Manteca (2-1, 13-6 overall) is having a tough time getting its mojo back from just a month ago. After starting the season 9-1, the Buffs are 4-5 since. The high-flying Domonick Victor, who moved to Manteca from the East Coast, has made a splash since debuting for Manteca in Central Catholic’s Gallo Invitational last month.
Domonick Victor turned in 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks on Tuesday, while Jorge Cedano added 14 points and six boards. Kendrick Currey led Sierra (2-1, 14-3) with 12 points and three assists. and Ryan Borgeson contributed 10 points.
“We’ve added Isaiah to the mix, and he’s another guy who needs the ball in his hands, another guy who needs shots,” Manteca coach Brett Lewis said. “People are taking on lesser roles and it’s tough for a kid to make up for lost time. Now we’re hoping things are coming together. We have a bye coming up and that means more practice time. I’m excited for where we can go and hopefully we can keep getting better.”
The Buffaloes never trailed Tuesday after scoring nine unanswered points to start. They were getting their points three at a time, hitting three 3-pointers in the opening period while converting one of two and-one opportunities.
Isaiah Victor sank two of those 3s, with Miguel Sequeira making the other. It was also a memorable return to Sierra for Sequiera, who transferred from the “blue school.” He contributed five points, three rebounds and three steals.
Manteca led 14-5 after the first quarter.
“They outworked us in the first quarter,” Sierra coach Scott Thomason said. “They were getting loose balls and we did a poor job of keeping them off the boards. Those guys have some good athletes around the basket and they changed our shots. Our post guys could have played better but everyone could have played better.”
Cedano accounted for half of Manteca’s 14 points in the second quarter, which ended with the highlight of the night. Domonick Victor had just one point through the first 15 minutes but played with more bounce after elevating for an impressive one-handed slam from the baseline. That gave the Buffaloes a 29-13 advantage they carried into halftime.
The lead stretched to 20 at 33-13 early in the third quarter after Domonick drained a corner 3 and Isaiah Victor sank one of two free throws. That was when Sierra finally responded with a run of its own, outscoring the Buffaloes 15-5 for the remainder of the period with Borgeson providing a spark with a three-point play followed by 3 from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves twice cut the deficit to eight in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.
“Give Manteca credit, they made more plays than us,” Thomason said. “They hit those 3s early in the game to get them going, and you can’t spot someone 20 points to anyone in our league and expect to come back. I’m proud of the way our guys fought back, but that first quarter was not very good.”

Junior varsity
Sierra 44, Manteca 29

Christian Threadgill spearheaded Sierra with 14 points, Evien Davis added 11 and Isaiah Sanchez had eight. Nick Bell scored 13 points for Manteca, while Khalid Robinson chipped in eight.