VALLEJO — Defense has been the staple of Manteca’s recent success, and the trend continued Friday with its 49-40 win over Calaveras in the West Coast Jamboree Turquoise Division at St. Patrick-St. Vincent.
The Buffaloes (7-4) will face Liberty of Brentwood for the championship today at 3:30 p.m. They’ve won five of their last six, holding teams to 36.8 points per game in the victories.
“We keyed in on (Kate) Lumley, who played really well last night,” Manteca coach Ryan Bono said. “Rhiannon Genilla did a great job defending her tonight, and we held them to one shot.”
Lumley was limited to eight points, while Kylie Alurcon paced Calaveras (7-4) with 10.
Manteca’s backcourt of underclassmen once again led the charge. Second-year sophomore Jayda Jackson poured in 14 points, while freshman Kyaria Jacobs scored 10 of her 13 points in the third quarter. The Buffaloes broke away in the middle quarters, outscoring Calaveras 31-21.
“They’re both still learning the game and eager to learn,” Bono said of Jackson and Jacobs. “They listen well, and we know they’ll go out and give an honest effort.”
Foothill 86,
Weston Ranch 58
ATHERTON — Facing a team with more length, Weston Ranch (3-8) focused its defensive efforts on clamping down in the paint.
Foothill (7-6) of Palo Cedro took advantage in this Eastside College Prep Coaches vs. Cancer Classic consolation game at Menlo School, making eight 3s while rolling to a 50-28 halftime lead. Jenna Wallace topped all scorers with 21 points.
“They have a lot of bigs, but they ate us up from outside,” Weston Ranch coach Darrell Johnson said. “They did not miss.”
Weston Ranch sophomore Jennalyn Laminero finished with 15 points and eight rebounds in a balanced scoring effort. Nia Boston fired all 14 of her points in the first half. Sophomore call-up Dearri Ross (six rebounds) and Justice Stitt (four 3s) each had 12.
The Cougars face University of San Francisco at noon today for seventh place.
Santa Margarita 46,
Lathrop 24
LAKESIDE — Lathrop (7-4) was at a big disadvantage in the post in its final matchup in pool play of the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic NCAA Blue Division at El Capitan High.
Renny Cribbin, a 6-foot forward, scored a game-high 17 points for Santa Margarita (10-4) and made 11 of 12 free throws. Six-foot-2 center Jocelyn Ewell added eight points.
The Spartans trailed 11-2 after the first quarter and struggled to make up ground as they continuously sent the Eagles to the foul line. Myani Thornton had eight points, Rylene Crull six and Kryshara Gary pulled down nine rbeounds.
“The game was closer than what the final score indicates,” Lathrop coach Dwayne Davis said. “It was a battle and they wore us down. The girls put in the effort, they were just too tall in the boards for us.”
Lathrop wraps up the event with the fifth-place game against Del Norte (6-5) of San Diego at 8 this morning.
