Manteca’s Jaesha Dunn picked the right time to find her long range.

With the score tied and 31 seconds remaining in the showdown for second-place between Manteca and visiting Kimball in the Valley Oak League girls basketball race, Dunn took a pass in the corner from Brea Vieira and drained a 3-pointer to put the Buffaloes ahead for good in their 51-47 win.

It was Dunn’s first shot from behind the arc this season. 

“It was in the heat of the moment,” Dunn said. “I was wide open and she (Vieira) passed me the ball, and I figured I might as well shoot it because that is what coach has told us to do.

“So, I shot it and I made it. That was my first 3-pointer of the season.”

Manteca (4-1 VOL, 18-4 overall) led by nine points at halftime before letting that slip to a two-point advantage after three quarters. The Jaguars (3-2, 12-6) took the lead twice in the fourth quarter before Dunn (10 points, seven rebounds) put the game away.

“In the first half, I think we played really good defense,” Buffaloes coach Oscar Calix said “We were almost at a double-digit lead. In the second half, we stepped off the gas pedal a bit, so it was a closer game than it needed to be.

“Jayda (Ikharo) is a game changer. I am happy we are playing with her rather than against her. She is a special player. She played AAU in the off-season this year for the first time and that has expanded her game so much. She is shooting the ball better and attacking the basket.”

Ikharo owned both ends of the court for Manteca, leading all scorers with 24 points including nine points in the fourth period while going 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in that final period and notching a double-double with 14 rebounds.

“I think it was a team effort,” Ikharo said. “Our communication was really good, and we have been working on getting our chemistry up coming off of a tough loss (to East Union) last week. We are trying to work to get better and look forward to playing East Union next week.”

Despite being smothered constantly by the Kimball defense, Izzy Sanchez managed 13 points and five rebounds.

Emma Coronado paced Kimball with 14 points.

The Buffaloes host Central Catholic on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. before traveling across town to face East Union in a showdown for first place next Thursday.

Junior varsity

Manteca 54, Kimball 27

Naima Calderon led the Buffaloes with 15 points.

Manteca’s Talia Shelbourne added 12 points and Jeremy Galtney 10 points.

Freshman

Manteca 32, Kimball 31

The Buffaloes outscored the Jaguars 9-4 in the fourth period behind seven points from Maleiah Garza.

Garza led Manteca with 19 points.