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Buffaloes, Lancers fall in Modesto City Classic openers
BBSK-MHS-file-photo
Manteca High guard Ben Odell poured in 10 points in the third quarter of the Buffaloes 61-45 loss to Downey Wednesday. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO

The Manteca High boys varsity basketball team opened the Modesto City Classic tournament Wednesday with a 61-45 loss to Downey at Grace Davis High.

“Downey was able to control the boards, both offensively and defensively,” said Buffaloes coach Dave Asuncion.

Manteca (1-1) trailed early on, falling behind 20-7 after the opening period. Down 33-14 at the half, the Buffaloes had their best run of the game in the third behind the scoring of 6-1 senior guard Ben Odell, who netted all 10 of his points in the quarter.

Taylor Hasal chipped in with a team-high 13 points.

“At one point, we cut the lead down to nine,” Asuncion said.

The Buffaloes will take on Los Banos today at 3:30 p.m. at Davis. The Tigers fell to Golden Valley in their first-round game.

“We’ll have to play better defense (against Los Banos),” said Asuncion, who indicated that Downey (1-1) often scored on put-back shots and layups.

Johansen 58, Manteca 52

At Beyer High, the Lancers (0-1) jumped out ahead, 13-6, in the opening quarter thanks in part to Alex Del Real, who tallied eight of his game-high 21 points.

But Johansen (1-1) rallied back on the outside shooting of Matt Evans, who delivered trio of 3s to put his team ahead, 26-24. East Union turnovers coupled with four 3s by Johansen put the Vikings up, 49-36.

The Lancers stormed back, trimming away at the lead until it got to within one with 50 seconds remaining.

Brandon Cline finished with 17 points, connecting on five 3s.

East Union will take on Gregori today at 3:30 p.m.

Sophomores

Davis 68, Manteca 61, 2 OT

The Buffaloes (1-1) came out strong in the first-round action at the Modesto City tournament Wednesday against Grace Davis at Downey High.

Manteca led 22-7 after opening quarter and 35-22 at the intermission.

Davis turned the momentum around in the second half, chipping at the lead and eventually forcing the extra session.

“It was a combination of (Davis) getting hot and us getting away from what we had been doing (successfully in the first half),” Buffaloes coach Robert Orr said.

Tied 50-50, both teams struggled in the first overtime – tied 55-55 – with Davis finally surging ahead in the second extra session.

TJ Muhar was Manteca’s top scorer with 19 points. Brandon Dabney chipped in with 14.

The Buffaloes will take on Los Banos today at 3:30 p.m.