Local Girls Basketball – 1/22

Less than a month of the regular season remains for the teams we’ve been following. Here’s the results of their recent games and outlooks upon upcoming contests:

Bear River Bruins: Last week, the Bruins overwhelmed the Mira Loma Matadors, 61-6, at home, then hosted the Colfax Falcons and were beaten soundly, 28-73. Yesterday, after our deadline, the Bruins traveled to face the Marysville Indians with a reasonable chance to even their season record at 10 wins and 10 losses. Tomorrow night, however, the Bruins visit the Oakmont Vikings and will try to upset this much stronger team.

Chester Volcanos: Last Friday, the Volcanos traveled to Chico for a game against the CORE Butte Lynx and dominated the Lynx, 56-13. Then, on Monday, 1/19, the Volcanos played a non-conference game against the Lassen Grizzlies, losing 34-54. Before our next edition, the Volcanos will travel tomorrow to play the Los Molinos Bulldogs, host the Princeton Eagles next Monday, and the Redding Christian Lions next Tuesday. With their superior season record over the Bulldogs and Eagles, the Volcanos are clear favorites in their next two contests. The Volcanos will face a much tougher opponent, however, when the Redding Christian Lions come to Chester.

Colfax Falcons: Last week, the Falcons beat the Mira Loma Matadors, Wheatland Pirates, and Bear River Bruins, scoring 236 points while holding their opponents to only 68 points. Then, this week, on Monday, 1/19, the team extended its winstreak to eight games by outscoring Galt’s Liberty Ranch Hawks, 67-40. Last night, yes, unfortunately, after our deadline, the Falcons had a home conference game against Roseville’s Oakmont Vikings. To maintain sole possession of first place in the Pioneer Valley League, the Falcons need to secure a victory against the Vikings.

Herlong Vikings: In their only game since our last report, the Vikings were pummeled 22-53 while visiting the Loyalton Grizzlies on Tuesday, 1/20. Next Tuesday, the Vikings will host the Westwood Lumberjacks, the team they beat 34-28 back on 1/6.

Lassen Grizzlies: The Grizzlies lost, 52-65, to the Northern League’s first-place team, the University Prep Panthers, last Friday night. Then, the Grizzlies defeated the Chester Volcanos 54-34 on Monday, 1/19. Last night, the Grizzlies traveled to play the Yreka Miners, hoping to win and secure 4th place in their conference.

Loyalton Grizzlies: In the only game since our last report, Loyalton’s Grizzlies outscored the Herlong Vikings, 53-22, to remain undefeated in Pioneer League contests. Given the Princeton Eagles' losing record, I expect the Grizzlies will easily maintain their conference lead tomorrow night, 1/23.

Modoc Braves: With strong victories over the Etna Lions (68-19) and Mt. Shasta Bears (68-16) since our last report, the Braves retained second-place in the Shasta-Cascade League. Tomorrow night, the Trinity Wolves, tied for second in this conference, will make the long journey to Alturas, and I think home-court advantage is likely to provide the edge needed for the Braves to secure a victory. Then, next Tuesday, 1/27, the Braves will host the Weed Eagles, the only team without a loss in Shasta-Cascade League play.

Nevada Union Miners: Last night, after a week without a game, the Miners defended their second-place position in the Foothill Valley League against the Yuba City Honkers, a much lower-ranked team. Tomorrow night, the team will play the River Valley Falcons and, next Tuesday, the Del Campo Cougars. I believe the Miners will win all three of these games prior to playing the Placer Hillmen for first place in their conference on Thursday, 1/29.

Placer Hillmen: The Hillmen continued to roll over their opponents since our last report, beating the Twelve Bridges (Lincoln, CA) Raging Rhinos, 65-22, and the Yuba City Honkers, 68-24. Between today and our next report, on 1/29, I don’t see any of their foes (River Valley Falcons, Del Campo Cougars, and Roseville Tigers) keeping the Hillmen from building a ten-game winning streak.

Plumas Charter Warriors: Last Thursday evening, the Warriors pulled off a 41-32 win over the Paradise Adventist Academy Cougars.

Portola Tigers: After being defeated by the Quincy Trojans (31-46) and Biggs Wolverines over the past week, the Tigers go on the road tomorrow for a game with the Hamilton Braves, a team the Tigers beat back in early December. Then, next Tuesday, the young women travel to face the Maxwell Panthers, a team with a much better overall record than Portola’s, but whose MaxPreps.com rank is only slightly higher. An upset victory for the Tigers is definitely possible.

Quincy Trojans: Junior Kylie Morton scored 13 points while leading the Trojans to a 46-31 victory over the Portola Tigers last Friday evening. However, on Tuesday of this week, the Trojans saw their three-game win streak end when they were narrowly defeated, 41-44, by the Maxwell Panthers. Tomorrow evening, against the 0-16 Williams Yellow Jackets, the Trojans have an excellent chance to maintain their Mid-ValleyLeague leadership.

Truckee Wolverines: The Wolverines had an easy time beating both the Debbie Smith CTE Academy and Sparks Railroaders since our last issue, outscoring these teams 99-25. Given the weakness of the Wooster Colts, their opponent on Tuesday, 1/20, I expect the Wolverines will carry a five-game winning streak into tomorrow night’s contest against the South Tahoe Vikings. Since the Vikings beat the Wolverines, 46-23, earlier this month, the end of the Wolverines’ current winstreak seems likely.

Westwood Lumberjacks: Since our last edition, the Lumberjacks reported losses to the Surprise Valley Hornets and the Princeton Eagles. Unfortunately, looking at the team’s schedule, the team could easily remain winless this season.