SAN LEANDRO — Weston Ranch grinded out a 56-53 win over San Leandro on Tuesday in a nonleague battle between two of Northern California’s top boys basketball squads.
Sophomore Mi’Son Coilton drained a pair of free throws to give the Cougars (8-1) some breathing room in the final seconds, and San Leandro (6-2) was off the mark on a contested 3-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer.
Weston Ranch came into the contest ranked 12th by NorCalPreps.com. San Leandro debuted in the rankings at No. 15 this week after claiming the Mark Madsen Invitational in San Ramon this past Saturday.
“Huge win for us,” Weston Ranch coach Chris Teevan said. “We have some good wins but not one like this on the road against a team like that. It’s hard to simulate their type of athleticism and the environment they’re in.”
The Cougars were tasked with trying contain 6-foot-7 wing Keshad Johnson, who has committed to San Diego State. He led all scorers with 20 points but was slowed in the second half by Weston Ranch’s Gavin Wilburn, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pirates shot out to a 32-24 halftime lead, but Weston Ranch outscored them 20-8 in the third quarter. Donjae Lindsey added 16 points for the Cougars, and Devin Small contributed eight.
“Gavin did a great job on Johnson and that change the game a lot,” Teevan said. “He did a great job in the second half of scoring in the post and rebounding.
“We had a difficult start, but we need to go through these things,” he added. “These guys came out with confidence and they all stepped up. They’re maturing at a very high rate.”
The Cougars travel to Downey on Friday.
Manteca 73, Turlock 61
The Buffaloes (8-1) overcame a game effort from visiting Turlock (5-6), pulling away with a 26-19 fourth-quarter advantage.
Jorge Cedano flirted with a triple-double with his 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Dylan Gross collected 17 points and 13 boards, while Miguel Sequeria registered 16 points. Turlock’s Cole Carrigg fired a game-high 26 points, and Cameran Sherwood added 19.
Manteca next faces Tracy on the road Thursday.
Ripon 66, Livingston 45
RIPON — The Indians (4-7) halted a six-game skid in their Trans-Valley League opener, overcoming a torrid start from Livingston (5-6) while ending with a 23-12 fourth quarter.
The visiting Wolves jumped out to a 9-2 lead but could not keep Vincent Olmo at bay for long. Ripon’s 6-8, 250-pound center amassed 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Troy Brogan caught fire in the second half when he scored 14 of his 16 points. Brogan also knocked down three 3-pointers. Baz Cheema contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
Ripon tips off the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoops Classic next Wednesday, Dec. 26 against the tournament host.
Junior varsity
Turlock 55, Manteca 48
Manteca trailed 12-7 after the first quarter and couldn’t out of the hole despite Khalid Robinson’s 18 points.
Jake Worstlin and Levi DeGroot pitched in nine and seven points, respectively. The Buffaloes (1-5) made 10 of 19 free throws.
Freshman
East Union 57, Patterson 54 (OT)
PATTERSON — The Lancers outscored the Tigers 9-6 on the extra period on Tuesday.
Luke Weaver had a double-double to lead East Union with 26 points and 11 rebounds and Daymari Cox flirted with a double-double at eight points and 11 rebounds. Nate Rodriguez added six points and 12 rebounds and Samuel Stewart added eight points.
East Union 45, Downey 25
The Knights managed just two first-quarter points and the Lancers employed a balanced attack Monday at Dalben Center.
Samuel Stewart led Eaat Union with nine points and four steals, Daymari Cox added eight points and three rebounds, Zack McCasland had seven points, Nate Rodriquez made four rebounds and Luke Weaver had seven steals.
