JACKSON — Cade Alger made his season debut for the Ripon Christian boys team on Wednesday, while the Knights girls squad found its shooting touch in the Argonaut Quarterback Club Tournament.
Both squared off with Amador to tip off tourney play, with the boys holding on for a 61-56 victory behind Alger’s 21 points. The girls drained 14 3-pointers on their way to a 58-33 drubbing.
“Cade made a lot of big shots for us,” Ripon Christian boys coach Mark Hofman said.
Alger has shifted gears from the fall season, which ended for RC last season with the football team’s appearance in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI final. The Knights’ 6-foot-8 quarterback made an immediate impact on the hardwood.
Jacob Van Groningen contributed 12 points, sophomore Will Gilbert pitched in 11 and Austin Ries — another football player — added eight. Drew Andrews pumped in 18 points for Amador (3-4). Ripon Christian (3-2) faces Sacramento Adventist today at 3. 
Morgan Van Elderen paced Ripon Christian’s girls team with 19 points, 11 assists and six rebounds while burying three 3-pointers. Rilee Clark had the hottest hand from beyond the arc, splashing down six 3s for her 18 points. Sarah Brown made five 3s and finished with 15 points to go with seven rebounds and three steals.
The Knights (3-2), who play Freedom Christian on Friday, outscored Amador (1-3) 28-11 in the middle quarters to gain separation.

VARSITY BOYS
Manteca 54, Gregori 48
The Buffaloes (4-0) ended on a 19-9 run at Winter Gymnasium to preserve their perfect record in this battle of unbeatens.
Jorge Cedano finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Nick Bell added 13 points and six rebounds. Spencer Briscoe scored 10 points, while Jordan Burciaga netted nine along with five rebounds and five assists.
Jamin Crenshaw and Jullian Brown poured in 15 points apiece for Gregori (3-1).
Manteca opens Central Catholic’s Mark Gallo Invitational with Newark Memorial at 3:30 p.m. next Tuesday.

JV BOYS
Manteca 61, Gregori 45
Freshman Jake Wirstlin fired a game-high 19 points as Manteca (1-3) ended a three-game losing skid. The Buffaloes jumped out to a 13-5 lead and never trailed from there.
Khalid Robinson and Levi DeGroot contributed eight points each. Ray Solis scored seven.