For the better part of three quarters, Ripon High managed to keep within striking distance of visiting Weston Ranch on Tuesday.
The Indians even pulled to within three at one point in the second half before the Cougars reeled off 15 unanswered points.
From there, Weston Ranch cruised to a 68-50 non-league victory.
“I was proud of how we played,” said Ripon coach Justin Graham, who was well aware of the Cougars’ high-caliber of play despite their early season record. “They came in at 1-5 – They were the best 1-5 team we’ve ever faced.”
So far this season, Weston Ranch (2-5) suffered an overtime loss to perennial power Archbishop Riordan of San Francisco not to mention setbacks to Dougherty Valley, Dublin and Campolindo.
“It’s been a challenge,” said Cougars coach Chris Teevan of his team’s uneven play during the preseason. “We haven’t put together a full game.”
Against Ripon, he came away pleased with efforts of Jordahn Johnson, a senior transfer from San Leandro, and Kodey Weary.
The latter is a 6-foot-5 freshman who scored 10 of his 14 points in the second quarter. Johnson netted 15 of his game-high 21 points in second half, with two being of the slam dunk variety and some on second chance put-backs.
The Indians (2-4), meanwhile, have been playing without half of their returning players – Nico Ilardi, Grant Wiebe, Danny Hernandez, Troy Brogan, and Austin Bonilla were on the CIF State Division 4-AA Championship team.
“We tell our guys that this is their opportunity to show what you can do,” Graham said.
Junior Malik Taylor, for one, delivered 12 of his 20 points in the first half for Ripon. Brayden Haines, who hit a pair of 3s, and Will Bremer helped spark that 10-0 run to open the second half.
Mi’son Coilton buried a pair of 3s and Favor Pitts also sank one from beyond the arc as Weston Ranch took a 23-14 first-quarter lead.
Baskets by Taylor, Haines, Aaron McDonough and Logan Gilespie paced Ripon in the second.
Down 39-26 at the half, the Indians opened the third with Haines drilling a 3 and Bremer scoring on a put-back.
Bremer then took an inside pass from Haines at the 4:41 mark of the third to pull his team to within three, 39-36.
“Rebounding kept us in the game,” Graham said afterward.
The Cougars then took control of the game with a 15-0 rally highlighted by Gavin Wilburn’s breakaway slam dunk.
He finished with eight points while Coilton added 10.
Weston Ranch will take on Branson at this weekend’s Valley Christian Showcase while Ripon will play in the Argonaut Playoff Preview Tournament on Thursday.
