CORE Butte High School hosted Los Molinos High School on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the CORE gymnasium for three games in one night featuring junior varsity, girls varsity, and boys varsity basketball. The games marked the first action of 2026 for JV and GV following winter break. This game opened league play for the three teams.
JV: Los Molinos 79, CORE Butte 39
The junior varsity game tipped off at 3:30 p.m. CORE enters at 0-3 and Los Molinos at 9-3. CORE trailed 19-11 at the end of the first quarter after Los Molinos scored consistently inside and added a late three-pointer.
Los Molinos extended the lead significantly in the second quarter, scoring 28 points and knocking down multiple three-pointers. CORE struggled to slow the pace, and the halftime score stood at 47-14.
CORE showed improvement in the third quarter when they opened with a three-pointer and scored 14 points in the period. But Los Molinos continued to answer offensively, and the score was 54-28 entering the fourth.
Both teams scored steadily in the final quarter, which pushed the final score to 79-39. CORE JV’s record drops to 0-4, while Los Molinos improves to 10-3.
GV: Los Molinos 29, CORE Butte 27
The girls varsity game began at 5:00 p.m. with CORE at 4-3 and Los Molinos at 7-9. Los Molinos led 10-5 at the end of the first quarter, pushing two late three-pointers in the final seconds.
CORE responded in the second quarter with improved offense. At halftime, Los Molinos held a narrow 17-15 lead.
The third quarter featured frequent fouls and free throws for both teams. Los Molinos maintained a slim advantage, leading 27-25 entering the fourth quarter after CORE held Los Molinos scoreless late in the period.
In the fourth quarter, Los Molinos scored first to extend the lead to four. CORE answered with a basket to make it 27-29. Then, a CORE field goal that would have tied the game late was waved off by officials. After extended stoppages in the final minute, the game ended with Los Molinos winning 27-29.
CORE GV’s record falls to 4-4, while Los Molinos improves to 8-9.
Head coach Mikayla Bumgarner said the team handled the physical play well.
“I think my whole team did really good,” Coach said. “Both teams played physical, and the officiating kept the game under control.”
BV: Los Molinos 51, CORE Butte 24
The boys varsity game tipped off at 6:34 p.m. CORE was at 0-11 and Los Molinos at 6-10. Los Molinos built an early lead and ended the first quarter ahead 8-2.
Los Molinos continued to extend the lead in the second quarter, outscoring CORE 12-4 to take a 20-6 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter saw Los Molinos add 16 points while CORE scored five. The score stood at 36-11 entering the fourth quarter.
CORE increased its scoring in the fourth quarter, adding 13 points, including a three-pointer early in the period. Los Molinos continued to score consistently, and the game ended with a 51-24 final.
CORE boys fall to 0-12, Los Molinos improves to 7-10.
Head coach Ben Salberg pointed to missed opportunities as a key factor.
“We missed a lot of free throws and layups,” Salberg said. “That comes down to confidence, and that’s what we’re going to keep working on.”
Parents on the sidelines believed CORE could’ve won if they made most of their attempted shots.
All three CORE teams return to the game Friday, Jan. 16, at home against Chester High School. JV tips off at 3:00 p.m., girls varsity at 4:30 p.m., and boys varsity at 6:00 p.m.