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Sierra cant capitalize on trip to Sonora
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In what has been a change of events for the Sierra High boys basketball team, losing has become more common then winning for the Timberwolves, as they dropped yet another Valley Oak League contest 48-36 to host Sonora High Wednesday.

After opening the VOL season with five straight wins, the Timberwolves (6-3 VOL, 15-6 overall) have dropped three of their last four, needing an overtime period to fend off East Union in the lone vistory of that stretch.

Sierra walked into halftime trailing Sonora 22-15, but could do nothing to eliminate the seven-point deficit. They were outscored by five in the final period to cement the deal.

In the two clubs’ first meeting, Sierra walked off with a relatively easy 58-45 win. Sierra outscored the Wildcats in three of the four quarters and defensively held Sonora to just one period with more than 11 points. Things would be different in the Wildcats’ gym.

Sierra got a huge effort from post presence Will Ward who led all scorers with 18, but did not land another Timberwolve in double figures. Eddie Andrade finished with six points, coming off a pair of 3-pointers and Guillermo Nunes finished with seven.

Both teams went to the foul line for 23 attempts, with Sierra connecting on just 12 of their attempts.

Sonora was led by Nick Mays who turned in 17 to pace the Wildcats.

The Timberwolves had forced themselves into a sense of urgency, needing a strong rebound effort Friday when they travel to Tracy to meet up with the Kimball Jaguars.

Weston Ranch 59, Oakdale 51

It was business as usual for the Cougars, as they continued their perfect run through the VOL with an eight-point win over the visiting Mustangs Wednesday.

Three Cougar sophomores (9-0, 18-2) finished in double figures, with Dylan Alexander leading the way with 21. Daiveon Leverett added 14 and Zerrion Payton chipped in with 10.

“We came out flat in the first quarter,” Weston Ranch head coach Ryan Bono said. “The second quarter we were able to get on track in the second and that was basically the difference in the game.”

The Cougars will try and run their unblemished VOL record to 10 games when they host to the Lathrop Spartans Friday.

Kimball 54, Manteca 46

After a heartbreaking set back to the VOL leading Weston Ranch Cougars, the Buffaloes struggles continued in a league loss to the Jaguars Wednesday.

Manteca (4-5, 7-13) could only manage four points in the first period, setting the table for the disheartening loss.

“We came out too flat to expect to win a game,” Manteca head coach Dave Asuncion said. “Kimball came out with more effort and more intensity than we did.

“We have to find a way to play four quarters of basketball.”

B.J. Odell led all scorers with 17 points and teammate Ryan Culpepper finished in double figures with 10.

Manteca will try and get back on the right track when they host the Sonora Wildcats for the Winterfest activities.