Despite missing multiple starters, Manteca’s girls soccer team successfully defended its title in the 17th annual Buffalo Cup held at Woodward Park this past weekend.
The Buffs defeated Central Valley 3-1 in the championship Saturday, getting two goals from Serenity Cerritos. They also downed Edison 5-1 in the semifinals.
Forward Joanna Roa, center midfielder Maklayla Spencer and defender Tatiana Orozco made the all-tournament team for 9-0 Manteca.
“It was a big game for us,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said about the final. “We were missing some girls who went to an ID Camp, so we were missing some starters. Central Valley is a solid team and they have been playing well. I was curious to see how we were going to respond, and some different girls got some major minutes and produced. I’m super excited about this win for us.”
In the semifinal, Roa racked up her second hat trick in as many days and assisted one of Makenzie Forsberg’s two goals. Layla Flannigan contributed an assist.
Flannigan opened scoring in the title round, rebounding a deflected free kick from Roa. Cerritos provided the insurance goals in the second half, before Central Valley (3-8) answered. Kailee Jackson had an assist in each game.
Vern Gerbhardt Cup
Sierra (9-2-1) came in third place in its own tournament Saturday, closing with a 3-0 shutout of Lodi (8-2). The two teams will meet again Wednesday in a non-league match back at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
Lindsey Rose rung up a brace, Leslie Reyes scored once and Haley Gama and Hannah Hint each contributed an assist.
Earlier Saturday, the Timberwolves earned their spot in the third-place match by capping pool play with a 4-1 victory over Summerville (6-5). Freshman Zoe Sutton produced a hat trick, while Rose scored one goal and assisted two. Jessica Miranda and Reyes each had an assist.
Zoe Sandoval totaled 10 saves in the two games combined and earned Best Goalie for the tourney.
Valley Oak League rival Kimball (7-2-2) claimed the championship with a 3-0 win over Galt (5-2). Kimball’s Mia Leval received the Golden Boot Award.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Manteca 80, Langston Hughes Academy 27
After dropping back-to-back losses to powerhouses Redwood of Larkspur and Folsom in the Edison McDonald’s Classic, Buffaloes (7-2) were able to bounce back in a one-sided fill-in game Saturday.
They clamped down defensively in the final three quarters, limiting the Titans (5-4) to seven, four and three points, respectively.
Peyton Nieman and Santiago Sanders headed Manteca’s balanced attack with 13 points each.
L.J. Legan buried four 3s for his 12 points. Evani Gaeta contributed 11 points, and Garrison Reis had eight.
Central Catholic 64, Ripon Christian 32
Ripon Christian (3-4) could not keep pace with the tournament host Saturday in the third-place game of the Mark Gallo Invitational.
Wesley Payne and Jordan Magana scored 20 and 19 points, respectively, for Central Catholic (5-2), which surged to a 35-11 halftime lead. The Knights were paced by all-tournament selection Jake Vander Veen’s 12 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Manteca 65, Gregori 51
Jada Ikharo collected 27 points and nine rebounds to help the Buffaloes (8-0) capture the Gregori Tournament championship.
Izzy Sanchez added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Michailla Springs contributed 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
Mountain House 60, Ripon Christian 37
It was a two-point game at halftime, but Mountain House raced away with a 19-0 third quarter to win the Gregori Tournament’s consolation final.
Maddie Yonker compiled 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for Ripon Christian (3-2). Kara Kessler added 10 points.
JV girls basketball
Kimball 29, Lathrop 28
The Spartans finished as runners-up in the Tony Contreras Delta Queens Classic, coming up short on their comeback attempt.
Trailing by 11 after three quarters, Lathrop outscored the Jaguars 17-7 in the fourth.
Erin Chunn and Kriselle Matela were named to the all-tournament team. They’ll have a rematch with Kimball today at home in a non-league game.
Lathrop 37, Pitman 35
On Friday, Lathrop battled back from an 11-point halftime deficit thanks to a dominant effort from Tatianna Lopez. She finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
The Spartans stayed within reach by going to their press defense and limiting the turnovers that earlier plagued them.
JV boys basketball
Manteca 57, Atwater 36
Manteca capped the St. Mary’s Tournament with two blowout victories, getting 22 points from all-tournament selection Jeremiah Orona in the consolation final. Cooper Chamberlain chimed in with eight.
Manteca 64, Gregori 35
Josiah Martinez and Orona spearheaded four Buffaloes in double figures with 14 points apiece on Friday. Antonio Fraley and Evan White added 11 each.
Frosh girls basketball
Lathrop 52, Beyer 32
Lathrop convincingly won the consolation final of East Union’s 23rd annual Camelot Classic on Saturday.
Hazel Beltran accumulated 21 points, and Rosemary Libaste added 10.
Lathrop 32, Ripon 31
Beltran scored 12 points in the second round of the East Union tournament on Friday. Sarah Garcia keyed the win by hitting a 3-pointer for the only points scored by the Spartans in the fourth period.
Atwater 41, Lathrop 38
The Spartans opened the Camelot Classic with a tough loss. They exploded for 29 points in the second half to stay in the game but was held to just two in the second quarter.
Aniyah McGriff paced Lathrop with 18 points, and Beltran scored 14.
Frosh boys basketball
Manteca 44, Ripon 29
The Buffaloes finished strong in the Weston Ranch Tournament on Saturday.
All-tourney selection Madden Melendez posted 14 points, and Shabar Safi chipped in 12.
Lincoln 61, Manteca 27
On Friday. Mohammad Awan and William Brown led Manteca with six and five points, respectively.
