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Cougars sprint away from East Union
BBSK--East Union-Weston Ranch pic 4
Andrew Ruiz of visiting East Union shoots over Jordan Tauga (15) and JSon Moten of Weston Ranch on Wednesday in a 55-41 Cougars win. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/The Bulletin

STOCKTON — After leading by just two points at the end of the first quarter, Weston Ranch went on a 13-1 run to start the second period Tuesday and kept visiting East Union at bay the rest of the way in a 54-41 win.

“We played with energy and resolve,” Weston Ranch coach Chris Teevan said. “We are getting mentally tougher so when a team cuts a lead we are still together and we still know what to do.”

The Lancers (1-4 Valley Oak League, 8-8 overall) made multiple runs at the Cougars (4-2, 8-10) in the second half, going on one last run of 7-3 to come within 47-41 with 2:28 left in the game on a Jacob Danhoff field goal.

Jaelen Ragsdale poured water on that last East Union run, scoring on two highlight-reel drives down the stretch along with a pair of free throws, part of his game-high 20-point performance.

“That last shot was my floater,” Ragsdale said. “It just goes in.

“We controlled the rest of the game mainly through defense.”

Although young, one of the things that Weston Ranch has is depth, routinely substituting five players at a time.

“We use our depth to our advantage,” Teevan said. “Our team is just so unselfish it is the best way to go.

“It is fun to watch.”

Derek Gordon grabbed 14 rebounds and teammate Jazz Swanson added 14 points behind four 3-pointers for the Cougars.

“I couldn’t get those 3-pointers unless my teammates get me the ball,” Swanson said. “I always have confidence in my shot and if my teammates see me open they will get me the ball because they know I am always ready.”

Danhoff scored 16 points for the Lancers and Clay Cuneo added eight points.

“We played well in stretches,” East Union coach Ryan Tarr said. “We lost track of shooters and just couldn’t get over the hump.”

 Sophomore

East Union 64,

Weston Ranch 50

The Lancers jumped out to a 25-6 first-quarter lead and placed three players in double figures.

East Union’s Austin Miller led all scorers with 17 points. Teammates Malik Thomas added 12 points and Gyse Hulsebosch 11.

Phillips Strothers had 15 points for the Cougars and Charles Udeze 13.

 Freshman

East Union 44,
 Weston Ranch 39

The Lancers put up 14 points in the second quarter and that proved to be the difference.

The Cougars’ Chederick Ordonez led all scorers with 15 points. P.J. Gill scored 12 points for East Union and Scott Morenzone 10.