Manteca trailed until the last point of the first period Friday night and started the second quarter on a 6-0 run, never looking back in a 58-40 thumping of visiting Sierra in boys Valley Oak League basketball action.
Johan Perengelil led the Buffaloes (2-1 VOL, 8-10 overall) with 14 points and nine rebounds along with four steals and two assists.
“We practiced hard this week,” Perengelil said. “We know Sierra always comes out and plays hard. They are crosstown rivals and we know how it is, so we knew we had to come to play today.”
Manteca’s Austin Barnes drained a trio of 3-pointers, finishing with 11 points.
“I have been shooting well in practice, and I just got into my rhythm tonight,” Barnes said.
It has been a long time between home outings for the Buffaloes, who last hosted a game in their season opener on Nov. 22.
“This is our first home game in 16 games,” Manteca coach Geoff Israel said. “Sierra, a crosstown rival, is always tough. So, I had to tell the guys that we knew they were going to be in it, and we had to keep grinding, keep grinding.
“It was nice to have some home cooking in our home gym.”
Jayden Scarver added 10 points and four rebounds for the Buffaloes, with Joshua Mellion (eight rebounds, three steals, assist) and Landon Butler chipping in eight points apiece.
The Timberwolves (0-3, 5-12) were held to double digits in two quarters and were subject to frequent runs by Manteca.
“They were more physical than we were,” Sierra coach Eddie Morales said. “I guarantee they out-rebounded us, and we had sloppy possessions, turning the ball over and not getting the good shot.
“We have to get better offensively, be more of a team and work together better.”
Romeo Callender paced the Timberwolves with 14 points and five rebounds. Colby Veuve (seven rebounds) and Julian Ruiz each chipped in six points.
Wednesday night at 7:30 the Buffaloes host East Union and Sierra travels to Central Catholic.
Junior varsity
Manteca 47, Sierra 24
The Buffaloes’ Mohammad Awan led all scorers with 15 points with Esteven Vargas adding 12 points.
Isaiah Revives paced the Timberwolves with 11 points.
Freshman
Manteca 49, Sierra 30
The Buffaloes’ Brody Carabello earned high-point honors with 19 with Travis Rose scoring eight points for the Timberwolves.
