Manteca High rode the momentum of the regular season into the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs.

The result of that Tuesday was a 69-60 victory over visiting Atwater.

"We had confidence going into the game," said Buffaloes coach Oscar Calix of his No. 8-seeded team.

Manteca (19-7) was familiar with the precocious Falcons (16-13) — this team coached by Leonard Davis featured six sophomores and four freshmen, and were the top team in Central California Conference — ahaving beaten them about a month ago in non-league action.

This time around, the Buffaloes rolled out to a 25-13 first-quarter lead, sparked by a pair of 3s from Brianna Parker and one by Marcelina Chaparro, who would save her best for last.

The second quarter played out much differently.

"We started to let the game get away from us with turnovers and taking bad shots," Calix said.

Atwater was quick to capitalize with sophomore guard Jolie Hart spearheading a 12-0 run, cutting the Buffaloes' lead, 34-31.

Manteca responded with Brooke Agdoma sinking a pair of buckets, including a trey.

The Falcons, however, closed out the half with Karissa Hukill and Hart both delivering on 3s, going into the half trailing 39-37.

Hukill opened the third by hitting one of two free throws, making it a one-point game.

The Buffaloes answered by scoring 10 unanswered points. Michailla Springs had an and-one three-point play while Chaparro delivered as the offensive catalyst, dishing off a few times to Jada Ikharo, cutting to the basket.

Ikharo scored 10 of her 19 points in the quarter 

In the fourth, Chaparro found her way down the open lanes, pouring in 11 of her game-high 22 points.

"She's our glue," said Calix of his senior point guard.

Next up for the Buffaloes will be top-seeded Christian Brothers of Sacramento.