Four days after getting its biggest win of the season, Weston Ranch came up with the most lopsided.
Jordahn Johnson had his way in the paint, and the Cougars mauled visiting Sierra on Wednesday, 78-29.
The reigning Valley Oak League and Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion is building off Saturday’s 73-59 victory over San Leandro, one of the top-ranked teams out of Northern California.
“I feel like we’re finally hitting our stride,” Weston Ranch coach Chris Teevan said. “Everybody is contributing and having fun again. This is the most excited I’ve been for this team since this time last year. We’re snowballing with momentum right now.”
Sierra (1-3 VOL, 10-8 overall) had no answer for Johnson and the resurgent Ranch. Johnson, an athletic 6-foot-6 forward, amassed 19 points and 15 rebounds. Donjaé Lindsey and Gavin Wilburn added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
The Cougars (3-1, 8-10) led 43-13 at halftime. Winners of four of their last five, they’ll next host Oakdale on Friday.

Lathrop 74, Johansen 56
The first-place Spartans (5-0 Western Athletic Conference, 13-4 overall) put together one of their most complete efforts in preparation for their third showdown with fellow contender Beyer.
C.J. Ward accumulated 24 points, scoring 13 in the first half when Lathrop built a 38-15 lead. Eddie Cotton contributed 16 points.
“Everybody who came in did their job,” Lathrop coach Craig Ward said. “It was a good, team effort. We wanted to come out today and work on our full-court man defense. We’re going to have to play our best basketball on Friday.”

Escalon 45, Ripon Christian 42
ESCALON — The Cougars ended a streak of 11 straight losses to Ripon Christian. Their last win over the Knights came in 2010.
The Knights (1-1 Trans-Valley League, 11-5 overall) battled back from an early 11-2 deficit and trailed 17-16 at halftime.
“Poor shooting night for both teams,” RC coach Mark Hofman said. “It was kind of a dogfight.”
Braden and Lukas Van Groningen led Ripon Christian with 14 and 11 points, respectively. Brenden Holmes had 17 for Escalon (1-1, 11-7), while Dylan Ruiz chipped in 16.

Ripon 60, Riverbank 56
RIVERBANK — Malik Taylor accounted for 20 of 25 first-half points for Ripon (2-1, 7-11), which held on for the hard-earned TVL road win.
Taylor finished with 27 points and hit two free throws in the final minute to lock down the win. Nico Ilardi contributed with 14 points, scoring 12 in the second half.
“Typical Riverbank game,” Ripon coach Justin Graham said. “They were extra scrappy and our guys just weathered the storm. We did some things well but I don’t think we’re playing to our capabilities. We have some work to do.”
Escalon visits Ripon on Friday.

Junior varsity
Ripon 47, Riverbank 33
The Indians held the Bruins to single digits in the three quarters.
Nolan Young and Anthony Saucedo led Ripon with 12 points each with Landen West and Jacob Wallace chipping in eight points apiece.