Sac-Joaquin Section First-round playoff games

• Division III boys: No. 16 Hogan at No. 1 Sacramento, No. 9 Foothill at No. 8 Lincoln, No. 12 Livingston at No. 5 Rio Americano, No. 13 El Dorado at No. 4 St. Mary's, No. 14 Sierra at No. 3 Del Oro, No. 11 Pioneer at No. 6 Center, No. 10 Placer at No. 7 Manteca, No. 15 Sonora at No. 2 Vista del Lago.

Lancers battle section finalist to draw

MODESTO - East Union High's girls soccer team had a strong showing its first non-league match of the season Monday, battling Central Catholic to a 0-0 tie.

DIVISION WRESTLING

THE NEXT STEP

Four area wrestlers closed out the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Wrestling Championships with an opportunity to win titles, but all came up short yet will continue their season by advancing to the Masters Wrestling Tournament next weekend in Stockton.

Ripon pair continue season

HILMAR – A perfect scenario would have had a handful of Ripon High wrestlers advancing to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Wrestling Tournament, but it was only meant to be for a pair of Indians after top-5 finishes during the section's Division V tournament Saturday.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

The opening day of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Tournament at East Union High was all about survival for Lancer senior Stevyn Teeple.

Ripon trio reaches D-V semifinals

HILMAR - The fun is just beginning for Ripon High's semifinalists in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V Tournament.

WR completes Sierra Sweep

WESTON RANCH – With only 3.2 seconds remaining and the Sierra Timberwolves clutching onto a one-point lead, Weston Ranch senior Nate Moises strolled to the line with an opportunity to be a hero.

Lancers’ last minute push falls flat in rivalry game

With only 2.6 seconds left on the clock and down by two points, the East Union Lancers found themselves in the unique position of beating the Valley Oak League's best team at Manteca High's sold out Winter Gym.

Ratto reaches milestone in Ripon’s Trans Valley finale

ESCALON - Four-year varsity player Matt Ratto surpassed 2006 Ripon High graduate Nathan Clark on the program's all-time career scoring list Friday, but it was a bittersweet end to his and the Indians' regular season.

EU sophs, Sierra frosh are outright champs

Wayne Cheung and the rest of the East Union High sophomore boys basketball team gave the Lancer faithful one last reason to be encouraged for the future of the varsity squad Friday.

REASONS TO CELEBRATE

Unborn and still nameless, Andrea Hiatt's baby boy did mommy a big favor by holding out past his due date of Feb. 14 for Thursday's big game against crosstown rival East Union.

Cherie DeJesus signs with C. Arizona

All of the extra batting sessions, fielding drills and even the blisters on her hands have finally paid off for East Union High senior Cherie DeJesus. She signed her letter of intent to become a student-athlete for Central Arizona College Thursday.

Cougars crossing fingers after season-ending win

The Weston Ranch girls basketball team did its part.

Seniors shine in Ripon’s tune-up for postseason

RIPON - While powerhouse Modesto Christian capped yet another dominant run through the Trans Valley League for its fourth straight title, Ripon High's girls basketball team can find solace in going undefeated against the rest of the conference's opposition.

Northgate’s Nationals claim minors TOC win

Somebody had to win.

Lathrop’s Garcia headed to Fargo for nationals

Local wrestling standout Alex Garcia qualified for the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco Nationals after his third-place finish in the 126-pound division of the state tournament last weekend in Fresno.

BIGGER, BADDER

It turns out there will be a few more Buffaloes roaming the turf at Tracy High's Wayne Schneider Stadium this Saturday.

STATE CHAMPS

A no-hitter from its No. 2 pitcher helped Manteca High's baseball team earn its first Valley Oak League championship in 29 years.

JUSTIN TIME

It's better late than never for 16-year-old Justin Clayton.

WALK THE WALK

The Red Sox saved their best for last.

Mix secures Phillies’ title

With the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the sixth Thursday in the Northgate Little League AAA championship tilt with the Nationals, Phillies slugger Tyler Toste hit a towering shot to center field that looked as if it would clear the bases.

CRUZ-IN’ TO THE TITLE

Cruz Lopez picked a good time to hit his first home run of the year.

Buffs will open Levi’s Stadium

It's official: Manteca High's football team will open its 2014 season Aug. 29 at Levi's Stadium.

Jays do away with A’s

Phillip Leuvano threw four shutout innings of relief Tuesday and Blue Jays teammate Scotty Armstrong had a monster bat in an 11-4 win over the A's in semifinal action of the Northgate majors tournament.

POCKET ACES

Robert Vernon has returned the Ripon softball program to a place of prominence and his hard work hasn't gone unnoticed.

FINISH LINE

ELK GROVE - Less than 24 hours after graduating, Bryan Vincent mustered enough energy to make the best jump of his career in Friday's Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships.