MODESTO — East Union’s boys basketball team followed one of its worst efforts of the season with its best.

Gyse Hulsebosch poured in a game-high 35 points, and Blake Greenlee backed him up with 25 as the Lancers held off Central Catholic 77-70 in a Valley Oak League upset Thursday night. They were coming off a disappointing 61-48 loss at Weston Ranch.

“The guys were very motivated to play better than we did on Tuesday,” East Union coach Ryan Tarr said. “We didn’t feel like it was our best effort. It was good to see them respond positively against a tough opponent.”

It was nip-and-tuck throughout after East Union (4-2, 12-7 overall) took a 23-17 first quarter lead.

It came down to the final minutes with the Lancers leading by three. Angel Sena doubled the lead with a 3-pointer as the shot clock winded down, but Central Catholic (4-2, 13-5) quickly responded with a 3 from Amrit Dhaliwal (14 points). 

Hulsebosch and Greenlee later knocked down four insurance free throws to seal it. P.J. Gill helped put it away by pulling down an offensive rebound that set up Greenlee’s free throws. Hulsebosch and Greenlee were a combined 18 of 23 from the foul line.

Jarred Rice led four Raiders in double figures with 19 points.

“I’m extremely proud of the way we played tonight,” Tarr said. “My guys battled for 32 minutes and didn’t let up.

“We’re happy we won but we’re looking to keep things rolling. We want to build on what we did tonight.”

Manteca 59, Oakdale 32

OAKDALE — The VOL-leading Buffaloes (6-0, 14-5) used a 19-3 second-quarter run to build a 28-13 lead and dominated the rest of the way.

Dwight Young and Gino Campiotti each poured in 12 points. Tydus Verhoeven added six points, six rebounds and five assists in limited action.

Weston Ranch 50,

Kimball 43

TRACY — Weston Ranch (3-3, 11-8) struggled from the field at the outset and trailed 21-16 at halftime.

Makhi Turner tallied 15 points to lead the Cougars, while Gavin Wilburn had 12. Drew Reddick scored 15 for the Jaguars (1-4, 5-13).

Sophomore girls

Ripon 38,

Ripon Christian 25

RIPON — Mia Culver fired 19 points for Ripon in this battle of Trans-Valley League rivals.

Ripon Christian was led by Ariel Vander Woude’s 10 points and seven rebounds. Sarah Brown contributed nine points and four assists.

Freshman boys

Weston Ranch 79,

Kimball 79

TRACY — The game was called after it remained tied through two overtime periods.

Curtis Green was the star of the night, amassing 41 points after scoring just three in the first half.

Ripon 57,

Ripon Christian 25

RIPON — Nico Ilardi registered 11 points, six rebounds and five assists to spearhead the first-place Indians (5-0 TVL, 17-1 overall).

Troy Brogan added nine points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Barner and Julian Sanchez pitched in eight points apiece.