It was a tough week for Escalon’s varsity basketball girls, as they fell in a pair of non-league preseason matches.
They hosted Orestimba – the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season – and battled the visiting Lady Warriors to the end of the game, coming up just a point short as a 3-point shot fell for the visitors in the closing seconds of the contest.
The game in Escalon saw a 37-36 final on the scoreboard for the Dec 20 contest.
On Thursday, Dec. 22 the girls were on the road, traveling to Amador and losing by a 10-point margin there, 44-34.
Escalon was outscored 12-8 in the opening frame and got even colder in the second, putting just three more points on the scoreboard while Amador added 14 to take a 26-11 lead at the half.
The teams traded points, 10-10, in the third quarter and Escalon made up some ground – but not enough – with a 13-8 scoring edge over the final eight minutes.
With a record of 9-4 during preseason, Escalon now looks to open up Trans-Valley League play and defend their TVL championship. The varsity girls are scheduled to host the Riverbank Lady Bruins on Tuesday, Jan. 3 with a 7 p.m. tipoff time. Then they head to Ripon Christian on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m.
The junior varsity girls took a 47-13 win at Amador in the Dec. 22 contest, outscoring the Lady Buffaloes in three of the four quarters. Escalon had a 10-0 lead after one and went up 17-8 at the half. They went on a 21-0 run in the third quarter to seal the victory, then outscored Amador 9-5 in the final frame.
The JV team opens up league play on the road at Ripon Christian on Jan. 5.