The Kimball Jaguars lost against the Manteca Buffaloes back in January of 2023, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. Kimball fell 54-45 to Manteca. Kimball has not had much luck with Manteca recently, as the team's come up short the last four times they've met.
Kimball's loss came despite strong showings from Madhav Asija and Osama Mirghani. Asija scored 16 points, while Mirghani scored eight points along with six rebounds and two blocks. The team also got some help courtesy of Tobe Nwankwo, who scored six points.
Manteca had a senior duo take command as Evani Gaeta scored 17 points along with seven rebounds and four steals and Peyton Nieman dropped a double-double on 18 points and ten rebounds. That's the first time this season that Nieman pulled down eight or more rebounds. Santiago Sanders was another key contributor, scoring six points along with six rebounds.
Kimball's defeat ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 11-10. As for Manteca, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests, which provided a nice bump to their 13-7 record this season.
Kimball will head out on the road to take on Oakdale at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Oakdale is out to stop a four-game streak of losses at home. Manteca will take on Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Central Catholic is coming into the match hot, having won their last five games.
