Game Time
By D’ MARCUS ESTES & ARMAAN SINGH
With its newly built gym and returning backcourt, the Manteca High boys basketball team hopes to improve upon last season’s runner-up finish in the Valley Oak League and CIF State Northern California Regional tournament appearance.
Leading the charge is senior point guard Ramesh Kabiri, who appeared in 24 games last season and brings a championship pedigree to the floor for the Buffaloes.
Ramesh Kabiri
Kabiri netted 5.1 points per game, 3.9 rebounds and led the team in assists per game with 2.7. He was a valued member of a VOL championship team as a freshman, and coach Jason Hitt is looking to him and fellow senior guard Noah Lyons, the team’s top returning scorer, to catapult Manteca back to the top of the VOL.
Kabiri netted 5.1 points per game, 3.9 rebounds and led the team in assists per game with 2.7. He was a valued member of a VOL championship team as a freshman, and coach Jason Hitt is looking to him and fellow senior guard Noah Lyons, the team’s top returning scorer, to catapult Manteca back to the top of the VOL.
Hitt raves about Kabiri’s improvement in all phases during the offseason, including shooting, dribbling, passing and leadership.
“Ramesh has done a great job these last four years,” he said, “and he was even on the championship run freshman year. He played point guard on our JV squad and later moved up to varsity.
Kabiri started his career early, playing for the first time in only the third grade and joining his first Amateur Athletic Union team in the sixth grade. In high school, he spends most of his time outside of class playing basketball. He has suited up for the Lathrop Thunder, Manteca Havoc, and Manteca High School. He says he puts up more than 500 shots per day and focuses on passing and driving the ball.
Lyons has played with Kabiri the last three years and has watched him improve and develop as a player and a leader.
“He was always a good guy and always had my back,” Lyons said, “so that’s why I wanted him to play on the same team as me, so I knew if anything happened to me on the court, he’d have my back.”
Junior Peyton Nieman believes Kabiri epitomizes the student-athlete at Manteca High. He gets good grades, shows leadership on and off the court, and supports his teammates. “Ramesh is just a good person,” Neiman said.
Manteca’s chances in the VOL have been boosted by Weston Ranch’s move to the San Joaquin Athletic Association. Still, the Buffaloes will have to contend with crosstown rivals Sierra and East Union, as well as private school power Central Catholic.
