Madera defeats Buhach Colony for basketball tournament title

Brandy Coward continued her stellar play in the 20th annual Lady Cougar Classic, but Buhach Colony High School fell short in the championship game. Madera defeated the Thunder 49-46 on Saturday.

Coward scored 17 points and was named to the all-tournament team.

Bria Fernandes (13 points) and Allysa Burton (11) led the Coyotes (4-0) and were named to the all-tournament team. Teammate Sarah Nainoa (11 points) was named the tournament MVP.

Rai Slaton also was named to the all-tournament team for Buhach Colony (3-1).

Merced 51, Golden Valley 47 – The Bears used a 19-0 run in the first quarter to take control and then held on to take third place in the tournament.

Merced’s Lexi Thompson scored 25 points and earned an all-tournament honor.

Camille Flores scored 11 points for the host Cougars (2-2) and was named to the all-tournament team.

Turlock 33, Chowchilla 20 in Los Banos – Ammari Gaines scored six points as the Redskins dropped the championship game of the Brett L. Lee Invitational.

Boys

Golden Valley 52, Pacheco 49 – The Cougars (1-1) outscored the Panthers 16-2 in the fourth quarter, including a key late basket by Lee McNeill (10 points). Collin Hayes paced Golden Valley with 18 points.

Octavio Jimenez scored 16 points for Pacheco.

Modesto 79, Buhach Colony 57 in Modesto – Ethan Howe scored 13 points for the Thunder (0-5), which went 0-4 in the Modesto City Classic.

Gregori 57, Atwater 49 in Modesto – The Jaguars outscored the Falcons 17-8 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win. Brody Patterson led Atwater (2-3) with 11 points.

Enochs 56, Mariposa 52 in Modesto – The Grizzlies couldn’t overcome a rough third quarter and sustained their first loss. Dillon Acker-James led three Mariposa players in double figures with 15 points.

Hilmar 58, Livingston 48 in Gustine – Alec Cano scored 13 points as the Yellowjackets closed the Gustine Rotary Tournament. Harman Singh scored a game-high 21 points for Livingston.

This story was originally published December 7, 2014 at 7:52 PM with the headline "Madera defeats Buhach Colony for basketball tournament title."