RIPON — During a weekend game against crosstown rival Ripon High, the Ripon Christian girls basketball team had trouble hitting its free throws.
That wasn’t the case Monday against visiting Waterford.
The Knights sizzled from the line in the first half, hitting 12 of 14 in the 54-38 Southern League victory.
“Free throws are an important part of the game,” said Knights coach Ed Mulder. “That’s why we work on them in practice.”
He also credited defense as another key.
“It got (Waterford) frustrated, particularly in the second half,” he added.
Ripon Christian (8-1, 15-5) was paced by junior center Mikaela Alger, who enjoyed a game-high 21 points — of that, 15 came from the line, where she was 15 of 20 in shooting — to go with her 16 rebounds.
All told, the Knights were 17 of 25 from the charity stripe.
Waterford (6-3, 12-8) was led by Keana Viss. The freshman guard had 12 points to lead a balanced Wildcats attack.
Down the stretch, the Knights were helped by the efforts of Kaylie Colyn, Raeann De Rousse and Janeen Viss. Waterford entertained thoughts of a second-half comeback only to have Colyn and Viss knock down 3-pointers.
Ripon Christian opened the game with a 7-0 behind baskets by Morgan and Mikaela Alger.
Brittney Hopper and Alyssa Boggeri kept the Wildcats within striking distance, with both hitting from behind the arc.
Ahead 14-11, Ripon Christian went on a 12-0 run, hitting eight straight from the line compliments of Janelle Engel and Mikaela Alger, who was 6 of 6.
For Waterford, Keana Viss beat the half-time buzzer by sinking a trey.
Down 28-16 at the break, the Wildcats came out strong to open the second half, getting baskets from Jenna Viss, Boggeri, and Keana Viss while cutting the deficit to 10.
Waterford wouldn’t get any closer to that as the Knights maintained their lead on big shots while controlling much of the tempo throughout the fourth quarter.
Morgan Alger chipped in eight points along with six boards for Ripon Christian. Colyn and De Rousse added seven points each.
The first-place Knights improved to 9-0 in the Southern League with the lopsided win over Waterford.
Jenny Wickham paced Ripon Christian with her game-high 12 points, including seven in the second quarter.
The Knights led at halftime, 29-13.
Ripon Christian extended its lead in the third thanks to Vanessa Vallo, who netted six of her 10 points in that stretch.
Ashley Bloemhof also had 10, scoring eight in the opening period.
To reach reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com
That wasn’t the case Monday against visiting Waterford.
The Knights sizzled from the line in the first half, hitting 12 of 14 in the 54-38 Southern League victory.
“Free throws are an important part of the game,” said Knights coach Ed Mulder. “That’s why we work on them in practice.”
He also credited defense as another key.
“It got (Waterford) frustrated, particularly in the second half,” he added.
Ripon Christian (8-1, 15-5) was paced by junior center Mikaela Alger, who enjoyed a game-high 21 points — of that, 15 came from the line, where she was 15 of 20 in shooting — to go with her 16 rebounds.
All told, the Knights were 17 of 25 from the charity stripe.
Waterford (6-3, 12-8) was led by Keana Viss. The freshman guard had 12 points to lead a balanced Wildcats attack.
Down the stretch, the Knights were helped by the efforts of Kaylie Colyn, Raeann De Rousse and Janeen Viss. Waterford entertained thoughts of a second-half comeback only to have Colyn and Viss knock down 3-pointers.
Ripon Christian opened the game with a 7-0 behind baskets by Morgan and Mikaela Alger.
Brittney Hopper and Alyssa Boggeri kept the Wildcats within striking distance, with both hitting from behind the arc.
Ahead 14-11, Ripon Christian went on a 12-0 run, hitting eight straight from the line compliments of Janelle Engel and Mikaela Alger, who was 6 of 6.
For Waterford, Keana Viss beat the half-time buzzer by sinking a trey.
Down 28-16 at the break, the Wildcats came out strong to open the second half, getting baskets from Jenna Viss, Boggeri, and Keana Viss while cutting the deficit to 10.
Waterford wouldn’t get any closer to that as the Knights maintained their lead on big shots while controlling much of the tempo throughout the fourth quarter.
Morgan Alger chipped in eight points along with six boards for Ripon Christian. Colyn and De Rousse added seven points each.
Sophomore
Ripon Christian 52, Waterford 20
Ripon Christian 52, Waterford 20
The first-place Knights improved to 9-0 in the Southern League with the lopsided win over Waterford.
Jenny Wickham paced Ripon Christian with her game-high 12 points, including seven in the second quarter.
The Knights led at halftime, 29-13.
Ripon Christian extended its lead in the third thanks to Vanessa Vallo, who netted six of her 10 points in that stretch.
Ashley Bloemhof also had 10, scoring eight in the opening period.
To reach reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com
