Lathrop High is looking to get back to the style of play that resulted in success in the Western Athletic Conference.
"We're going to play more man (defense), push the ball up and down the floor, and play intense pressure," said Spartans coach Dwayne Davis following Thursday's 51-40 loss to visiting Beyer.
He discovered late in the game that he just might have the players to make such a change. The Spartans (6-4 WAC, 9-13 overall) were down by 22 points in the fourth when they flipped the switch by closing out the game with a 13-2 run.
Lathrop also added promising freshman Alaba Olaleye two games ago. "She's the type of player who can play that up and down style," Davis said.
Beyer (6-4 WAC, 9-15) came out strong with 10-0 run at the start of the game. The Spartans were down 12-1 when Isa Paniagua sank a 3, providing her team's first field goal at the 2:39 mark on the first.
The Patriots turned their 16-6 first-quarter advantage to 23-6 early in the following period. Symeria James, Maryam Marooki, and Veronica Gimes did most of the damage for Beyer up until that point.
Lathrop managed a 3 from Kierstin Constantino and a layup by Paniagua to close out the half, but trailed 26-13.
The Patriots then got hot from beyond the arc by canning four treys in the third led by Allison Robinson, who drilled a pair from long range.
The Spartans had trouble finishing around the basket. "If I had to guess, we missed 14 or 15 put-back (baskets)," Davis said.
Down 49-27, Lathrop finally got its offense untracked behind the shooting of Constantino, who finished game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, Jasmin Denning and Sanah Singh, closing out the game with a strong run.
Paniagua chipped in with eight points eight boards, and four steals. Olaleye had six rebounds and a steal, Sydney Hanks also had six boards, and Denning finished with seven rebounds and a steal.
James led Beyer with 14 points and nine rebounds. Robinson, who also collected nine boards, and Gines, who came up with five steals, had nine points each,

Ripon 48, Hilmar 21
The Indians did their part to stay atop of the Trans-Valley League standings by beating Hilmar.
Because of that, they now hold on to sole possession of first place following Livingston's upset loss to Hughson.
Ripon (7-1 TVL, 16-7 overall) jumped out to a 14-4 first-quarter lead, adding more to that to take a huge 28-10 advantage by the half.
"We started strong," said coach Rick Inderbitzin, who inserted all of seniors to open this game.
He added: "Myra Toledo was a beast on the boards during the first quarter with six points — everyone contributed to a solid win.
"I was really happy for our seniors, who came out strong while playing in front of their family and friends."
Included were Reina Sausedo and Tianna Sidtikun.
"I have coached Reina for the last four years and Tianna for six years, staring when she was in sixth grade," Indertbitzin said.
Sausedo and Mikayla Vaught led all scorers with 15 points apiece,

Sierra 60, Central Catholic 48
The Timberwolves took down the Raiders in Valley Oak League play on Thursday.
Sierra (2-7 VOL, 14-11) will face Manteca on Tuesday at Winter Gym.

Junior varsity
Lathrop 49, Beyer 24
Sabrina Gedde scored eight points to lead the Spartans past Beyer.
Jollyanna Marzan and Jayna Dizon added seven and six, respectively.
Lathrop led 25-12 at the break and continued rolling in the second half.

Ripon 52, Hilmar 36
The Indians came away with a TVL victory over the Yellowjackets.

Freshman
Lathrop 42 Beyer 24
The Spartans jumped out to 16-7 lead, adding to it with a  14-3 run in the third.
Taimane Lowery 11 points four assists, with Kalani Soriano and Camila Dela Garza Garcia finishing with 10 and 8, respectively.