TRACY — Manteca is perfect no more in the Valley Oak League.

The good news for the first-place Buffaloes is they are still in the driver’s seat to claim an outright title despite Thursday’s 70-63 overtime loss at Kimball.

The Jaguars (8-2, 17-6 overall) closed to within a game of Manteca (9-1, 12-10), which ends the regular season with the bottom-half teams in league.

“What’s nice is we still hold our own destiny in our own hands, and we can’t ask for more than that,” Manteca coach Ryan Bono said. “Hopefully our girls respond and take it one game at a time.”

The Buffs had a chance to win it in regulation and open up a three-game lead. Malia Parangan (eight points) tied it at 57-57 with a layup with 8 seconds remaining. Kimball then turned the ball over with 5.3 seconds left, but Donwanae Anthony Syd’nee Fryer’s lay-in attempt as time expired.

Kimball ran away with it in the extra period, hitting two key 3-pointers.

Loretta Kakala collected 20 points and 15 rebounds to anchor Manteca. The Jaguars took advantage after the 6-foot-3 Louisville standout picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and held a double-digit lead at one point. Fryer finished with 10 points, and Kacy Bolding contributed nine and six rebounds off the bench. 

Kimball was paced by Pearl Bautista’s 20 points. Anthony added 14. The Jaguars shot 18 for 28 from the free-throw line, while Manteca was just 3 for 13.

“They took it to us tonight and came ready to play, so you just tip your hat to Kimball,” Bono said. “I’m proud of the way we battled throughout the game. We didn’t quit.”

Manteca heads to last-place Sierra on Saturday.

Central Catholic 57,

Sierra 45

MODESTO — Sierra (1-9, 3-19) did well to compete despite being in the double bonus for the entire second quarter and trailing by 20 at one point in the second half.

Danielle Friedrich buoyed Central Catholic (7-3, 16-6) with 23 points, while Alexandra Candelario fired 17. Alison Edwards and Raiann Prieto registered 15 and 12, respectively, for Sierra.

Oakdale 56,

Weston Ranch 49

STOCKTON — The Cougars (2-8, 8-13) held a 25-17 halftime lead and never trailed in the first three quarters but were outscored 20-11 in the fourth.

Recent varsity call-up Angelica Lowry, a freshman for Oakdale, topped all scorers with 23 points, and Zoe Gillen chipped in with 17. Weston Ranch was led by Justice Stitt’s 14. Nia Boston had 11.

Freshman

Weston Ranch 47,

Oakdale 18

STOCKTON — Weston Ranch (7-0, 13-5) built an early 16-6 lead and didn’t allow more than four points in each of the final three periods. 

Zahbria (15 points, three steals) and Jennalyn Laminero (14 points, five steals, four assists) starred in the rout. Darnaysha Huff contributed six points, six rebounds and three blocks.