There is a shortage of ice in the Sierra this year. There was no shortage of ice Friday night at the start of the Manteca-East Union boys basketball game in Dalben Center.

The two teams combined for just five points after more than five minutes before the Buffaloes started to thaw, while the Lancers never did in a 47-32 win for Manteca in the Valley Oak League finale. East Union closed the game on a 10-3 run to make the game seem closer than it was.   

“We picked the wrong night to have our worst shooting night of the season,” Lancers coach Charles Legan said. “They are a good defensive team, so you have to give them credit. But if you can’t put the ball in the bucket, you’re not going to win the game. You have those nights, and unfortunately, tonight was one of them.”

“We knew that they were going to do and tonight we just couldn’t get going. That’s the bottom line.”

With East Union (5-7 VOL, 17-11 overall) leading 5-4 in the opening period’s final minute, Braden Nussbaumer converted a rare four-point play for the Buffaloes (9-3, 18-10) followed by a buzzer beater for Ryan Inderbitzin. The Buffaloes then started the second quarter on a 14-1 run and Manteca was on its way.

“In the last three games our defense has really been shutting teams down,” Buffaloes coach Jason Hitt said. “Our offense hasn’t really got it done but we have been able to slow the game down because of our defense which is really doing well going into the playoffs.

“Again, I like how we are peaking defensively going into the playoffs, but we have to play better offensively. Hopefully we will get at least one home game, maybe two. I kind of like our chances but we will need to work on some match-up stuff.”

The Lancers made one last surge before the end of the first half, coming to within 25-16. Enter the suffocating defense of Manteca’s Justice Chase (10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals).

Stifling the Lancers’ Dylan Lee all night – Lee entered the game averaging 20.6 points per game and ended up with just 10 – Lee was bringing the ball up court to try and give East Union a final push before halftime but Chase would have nothing to do with it.

Twice Chase challenged Lee after Lee crossed mid court and twice Chase knocked the ball into the back court, ending the half. Chase harnessed that momentum into the third quarter when he scored all 10 of his points to help the Buffaloes to a 40-22 lead going into the final period.

“I knew if I kept doing it that would get my teammates hyped,” Chase said of his defense against Lee at the end of the first half. “He’s a good player, and when I am on him I take it kind of personal.

“Everyone played well. We started hitting shots and our rebounding and defense was good.” 

Manteca’s Noah Lyons led all scorers with 14 points behind three 3-pointers.

“It felt good shooting in this gym,” Lyons said. “I usually don’t have a good shooting performance here, so I am proud of tonight.”

Luke Weaver added nine points, eight rebounds and two steals for the Lancers.

The two teams now await the announcing of the pairings for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs on Tuesday that will begin next Friday.

Junior varsity

Manteca 69, East Union 34

The Buffaloes claimed the outright VOL championship with a perfect 12-0 league record, going 26-2 overall.

Peyton Nieman led Manteca with 18 points. Evani Gaeta added 12 points with J.J. Menor and Bryson Davis chipping in eight points each.

Ivan Alvarez paced the Lancers with 10 points.

Freshman

Manteca 67, East Union 29

The Buffaloes broke the game open with a 28-4 second quarter and cemented things with a 15-3 third period.

Jayden Scarver and Elijah Middleton led the Manteca attack with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists apiece. Ruben Moreno (two assists, rebound) added 11points, Johan Peringelil (six rebounds, three assists) had nine points and Eddie Anthony (three rebounds, two assists) chipped in eight points.

Bobby Espinoza led the Lancers with 11 points and Blake Mount added 10 points.