Manteca’s boys basketball team has had to truly earn its spot in the 3rd annual Mark Gallo Invitational championship game at Central Catholic of Modesto.

The Buffaloes took down previously-unbeaten Sonora 44-39, slugging it out in a defensive battle on Friday. They’ll face Lincoln (4-1) of Stockton tonight at 8. The Trojans crushed tourney host Central Catholic in the other semifinal, 75-47.

“Sonora is awesome and they have a great program, so to get that win is big,” Manteca coach Jason Hitt said. “Good defense and rebounding did it for us tonight. The guys are still learning to play together, but they’re peaking pretty well through this tournament. Lincoln will be a major challenge.”

Ryan Inderbitzin led the Buffs with 15 points. Justice Chase contributed 12, while Noah Lyons and Taj Mehrok scored eight and seven, respectively. Callahan Hanson fired 19 points for Sonora (10-1). The tone was set early, as Manteca carried a 9-4 lead into the second quarter.

Manteca (5-3) is on a four-game winning streak, winning its three games at CC by a total of 12 points. The Buffs edged past Downey at Atwater earlier in the week.

“All of these games have been really close battle for us, and we’re only going about seven deep right now,” Hitt said. Point guard Trey Moreland is recovering minor injuries and has yet to play since joining the team from the football season.

Lathrop 70, Chavez 68

The Spartans (3-4) held off Sa’Jean Alford and the Titans (4-3) from Stockton to snap a three-game skid

Lathrop led 56-46 going into the fourth, but Chavez made it interesting with a 22-point outburst. Alford topped all scorers with 24 points.

Camryn Hayes and Kameron Jones poured in 19 points apiece for the Spartans. Christian Buerster and Anthony McKinnon chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. They take on Downey today at 12:30.

Liberty Ranch 81, Ripon Christian 49

Eli Terpsma amassed 22 points, but the rest of the Knights (5-4) could not get untracked.

Liberty Ranch (4-4) staked a 34-17 halftime lead and continued to build on that margin from there, erupting for 28 points in the fourth period. Drew Fisher led four Hawks players with 20 points. Liberty Ranch drained eight 3-pointers.

Tracy Winter Holiday Classic

East Union 75, West 36

The Lancers (6-2) broke through offensively while maintaining their defensive discipline in the semifinal against the tournament host.

After leading 20-12 in the first quarter, they held the Wolf Pack (1-7) to single-digit scoring in each of the next three. Dylan Lee and Anthony Sy rattled in 18 points apiece. Luke Weaver pitched in eight.

East Union made seven 3s and will put its six-game winning streak on the line in the title game today against Liberty (4-2) of Brentwood. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Livingston Tournament

Sierra 57, Turlock 32

The Timberwolves (2-2) are in the consolation final after clamping down defensively against Turlock (5-6).

Brianna Parker led the attack with 11 points, Grace Langenfeld had 10 and Olivia Werner scored nine. Sierra limited the Bulldogs to single digits in each of the final three quarters. The team ends the tournament today against Chavez (2-7).

Patterson Tournament

Ripon 59, Central Catholic 15

With only nine available players, the Indians (7-2) shook off a slow start and ramped up the defensive pressure. They held the Raiders (2-6) to two points in each of the last three periods.

Kaylee Hutchinson spearheaded Ripon with 15 points, and Emily Sesser contributed 14 to go with six rebounds. Kaylee Tuggle added nine points, Kacie Johnson scored eight and Sierra Hollis grabbed eight boards.

Ripon closes the tournament today with unbeaten Patterson (8-0) starting at 1:30.

JV boys basketball

Manteca 64, Lincoln 55

The Buffaloes (6-2) used a 19-9 push in the third quarter to gain separation and advance to the Bear Creek Tournament title game.

Bryson Davis paced a balanced attack with 14 points. J.J. Menor chimed in with 13, Garrison Reis scored 11, Peyton Nieman had 10 and Micah Crawford nine.

Frosh boys basketball

Lincoln 60, Manteca 49

Manteca (8-2) could not keep pace after trailing 27-25 at halftime. Johan Peringelil anchored the Buffs with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Eddie Anthony fired 15 points.