Lathrop junior Isaiah Ellis put on a show in front of the home crowd Friday night.

During the Spartans’ 70-54 Valley Oak League victory over visiting Kimball, Ellis dropped a season-high 27 points and helped Lathrop improve to 5-4 in league, 12-9 overall.

“We needed this one in the worst way,” Lathrop head coach Nate McGrath said.

Lathrop was in a third-place tie with the Jaguars (4-5, 14-8) heading into the matchup. The Spartans bounced back despite blowing a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead and losing to Weston Ranch Wednesday.

“That had a lot to do with us not being real deep,” McGrath added.

Nicholas Obazuaye scored 15 points and hauled in nine boards for Lathrop, which will play against East Union on Wednesday.

TJ Conley finished with 12 and pulled nine rebounds, plus put down an early dunk that set the tone and helped Lathrop jump out to a 21-17 lead after the first quarter. The Jaguars trailed by 12 at the half and took a 52-43 advantage into the fourth frame.

Mykhail Redman finished with eight and hit two 3s, while point guard Nilo Yuson dished out 13 assists to go with his six points.



SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Mariposa 62,
Ripon Chr. 53

The Grizzlies got the best of the Knights for the second time in as many meetings as they closed the final eight minutes on a 27-19 run.

Mariposa (9-0 SL, 18-3) trailed by one at the half before taking a one-point lead into the final quarter. One of the Grizzlies’ back-up players, Kama’Re Bailey, finished with 15 points and hit two clutch 3s in the fourth quarter that stung Ripon Christian (7-2, 14-5).

The Knights were led by Travis Vander Molen’s 15 points. Eric Broker tallied 12 and Danny Vander Molen netted eight. Sean Broker had eight as well.

Mariposa made their free throws down the stretch, especially Dillon Acker-James, who went 7 of 10 in the fourth quarter. RC will visit Turlock Christian Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Sophomore

Kimball 57,
 Lathrop 52

Mike Osorno finished with 12 points to lead the Spartans. Diego Chavez added 10 points, but Rubin Mann of the Jaguars had the game-high with 13. Chris Hall added 10 for Kimball.

Freshman

Kimball 46,
Lathrop 40

Free throws doomed the Spartans (1-8 VOL), who went 12 of 23 from the line. Firooz Omar and Ariz Bringas each finished with nine apiece.