LODI — Ripon had a tough going in its Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinal game against top-seeded Central Catholic on Wednesday.
Behind play of Jared Rice and Conor Fenton, the Raiders rolled to an 82-61victory over the No. 4 at Tokay High.
“They beat us at our own game,” said Indians coach Rod Wright, pointing out that Central Catholic getting a lion’s share of its points off transition baskets.
Rice, who had a game-high 20 points, was the big benefactor, scoring most of those on layups.
The Raiders (23-7) also received a boost from their other two guards, Amprit Dhaliwal and Cooper Wilson, who chipped in with 19 and 10 points, respectively.
But it was 6-foot-5 Fenton who proved to be a tall order. He finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds — seven of those on the offensive glass — and three blocks.
“Fenton was a monster in getting rebounds and second-chance points,” Wright said.
Ripon (24-6) may have seen its section hopes dashed with the loss, but the season continues.
The Indians will play in the upcoming NorCal playoffs.
“I’m expecting that we’ll have to travel somewhere far (from home),” said Wright, who will find out just where on Sunday when the seedings are announced.
Central Catholic will play No.2 West Campus (Sacramento), which defeated Liberty Ranch 64 in the other semifinal, 79-64, at the University of Pacific on Saturday starting at 4 p.m.
The Indians managed to play the Raiders even during the early going.
Anthony Sisk and Aaron Paschini both had steals that led to quick buckets. Noah Hernandez hit for two and Cole Stevens hit a pair of free throws, giving Ripon a 10-9 lead.
The Raiders then reeled off 14 unanswered points and never looked back.
“This played out like most high school games (for Central Catholic) — when the offense is working, the defense is better,” Wright said.
His team struggled against the Raiders’ zone defense and from the 3-point arc.
At one point, Ripon was 1 for 6 from 3s, with Paschini hitting that one in the third quarter, finishing 3 for 9 for the game.
Reserves Zach Hansen and Derek Wright, coach Wright’s son, (hit the other two).
“Derek kept up a family tradition at Tokay,” the Ripon coach said.
His two during his playing days with Indians coupled with the numbers by his son and older brother posted accounts for 103 points for the Wright family at the Tokay gym.
Greg Wright, who was all-NorCal in 1977 while playing for Ripon Christian, tallied 98 of the grand total.
Stevens, meanwhile, led the Indians in scoring on this tough night with 14.
Paschini, who racked up four steals, and Hernandez added 10 and eight, respectively.
