TRACY — Third-year senior point guard Jaime Ochoa broke loose for a career-high 32 points on Wednesday, and Sierra needed every bit of it as the Timberwolves escaped Kimball with a 60-59 Valley Oak League victory.
Sierra (2-1 VOL, 7-9 overall) had opportunities to break it open throughout, but the host Jaguars (1-2, 8-8) kept coming. In the end, Ochoa made two free throws — he was 6 for 6 from the line in the fourth period — with 20 seconds remaining, and Kimball converted on a buzzer-beating put-back after a missed 3-pointer.
The Timberwolves led 19-8 after the first quarter and by as much as nine in the fourth.
“Hard-fought game,” Sierra coach Scott Thomason said. “We got off to a great start, we just could not never gain separation. Every time we’d get up five or six they’d hit some tough 3s to stay in it.”
Matthew Oli poured in 20 points for Kimball, including four 3-pointers in the second half. Drew Reddick fired 12 of his 19 points in the fourth period.
Jaedon Malone contributed 10 points for Sierra, and Jaylen Jackson had eight.
Central Catholic 74,
Manteca 62
The visiting Raiders (3-0, 14-2) built a 38-27 halftime lead and widened the gap to 20 with a 27-point barrage in the third quarter.
Nic Sani and Joshua Hamilton paced Central Catholic with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Manteca (1-2, 5-11) was led by Gino Campiotti’s 18 points, while Jordan Burciaga pitched in 11 to go with eight rebounds.
Oakdale 54,
East Union 43
OAKDALE — Blake Greenlee returned to action for East Union (0-3, 4-12) after missing four games with a sprained ankle, but the Lancers’ offensive woes continued.
They trailed 22-11 at halftime, and Oakdale (1-2, 7-9) kept them at arm’s length the rest of the way.
“When you give up 22 points by half you should be in the game,” East Union coach Ryan Tarr said. “We’ve been struggling offensively the last couple of games, and hopefully we can find a rhythm soon.”
Oakdale’s Junior Rodin and Marc Dickson led all scorers with 13 points apiece. Christian Cuevas scored 11 to lead East Union. Greenlee finished with 10, while Drew Sena and JoJo Espinosa each had eight.
Sophomore
Central Catholic 49, Manteca 42
Manteca (0-3) could not get over the hump after trailing 25-19 at halftime.
Jacob DeJesus registered 10 points for the Buffaloes. Spencer Briscoe and Kendall Ragsdale turned in nine each.
Freshman
Manteca 54,
Central Catholic 39
The Buffaloes (3-0) dominated the second half to come back from a 29-17 halftime deficit.
Lorenzo Ceja spearheaded the comeback with 21 points. Mike Arriola finished with 10, Nick Bell had nine and Karson Condit contributed six points and eight rebounds.
