Ripon High was not sure if Riverbank standout Zach Gonzalez would be in the lineup after missing the Bruins’ most recent action with an ankle injury.
Gonzalez participated, but was not 100 percent, and Ripon held on for a 48-43 Trans Valley League win Friday.
Ripon (4-1, 11-8 overall) held a 26-24 lead at the half, but rebounded after a tough third quarter to pull away from the Bruins in the fourth. Ripon closed the game on a 16-8 run, adding another win to its impressive TVL start.
“We didn’t have any idea if Zach would be playing or not,” Ripon head coach Rod Wright said. “But we knew with or without him Riverbank was going to be a physical team.
“We definitely talked about that beforehand.”
Ripon got an impressive effort from Conner Jones who flourished in constant scoring opportunities bestowed on him by double and triple teams going to post presence Jake McCreath. McCreath was hounded throughout the contest, giving Jones several open looks at the basket in which he converted.
“Connor was open all night,” Wright said. “And he was able to make the jumpers. He was 4-of-6 from the line and knocked down eight field goals.”
Jones’ 20-point effort led all scorers, and teammate Jared Ratto finished with 12. McCreath was able to scratch eight points in the book, but missed finishing in double figures by leading Ripon to a 12-of-25 night from the free throw line.
The Indians will be back on the hardwood at 6 p.m. tonight when they meet up with former TVL foe and longtime neighboring rival Ripon Christian. The sophomore game tips off at 4:30.
“It is still a rivalry game, we are definitely going hard,” Wright said. “They’re doing well this season and we’re doing well too.
“We want to go out and win this game.”
Brady Rhoda keyed the scoring spurt with two 3 pointers. Sophomore Dan Vos led the way with 14 points, while seniors Logan Vos and Isaac Norman turned in 13 and 11, respectively.
Aaron Fay also came up huge but on the defensive end. Delhi wing Jose Hernandez pumped in 10 points in the first quarter before Fay held him to five the rest of the way.
The Knights are excited to finally meet crosstown rival Ripon at their place today, even if game has no importance in league. Ripon remains in the Trans Valley League after the Sac-Joaquin Section’s latest realignment.
“I can tell the kids are up for it,” RC coach Ron Vander Molen said. “They’re asking me to open up the gym to shoot around (this) morning. It’s a big game for them, and it should be a good game. I think we’re evenly matched.”
The Jaguars led 16-14 before breaking it open with a 19-8 second quarter.
Ricky Chavez finished with 19 points to lead Lathrop (0-6, 2-14).
Gonzalez participated, but was not 100 percent, and Ripon held on for a 48-43 Trans Valley League win Friday.
Ripon (4-1, 11-8 overall) held a 26-24 lead at the half, but rebounded after a tough third quarter to pull away from the Bruins in the fourth. Ripon closed the game on a 16-8 run, adding another win to its impressive TVL start.
“We didn’t have any idea if Zach would be playing or not,” Ripon head coach Rod Wright said. “But we knew with or without him Riverbank was going to be a physical team.
“We definitely talked about that beforehand.”
Ripon got an impressive effort from Conner Jones who flourished in constant scoring opportunities bestowed on him by double and triple teams going to post presence Jake McCreath. McCreath was hounded throughout the contest, giving Jones several open looks at the basket in which he converted.
“Connor was open all night,” Wright said. “And he was able to make the jumpers. He was 4-of-6 from the line and knocked down eight field goals.”
Jones’ 20-point effort led all scorers, and teammate Jared Ratto finished with 12. McCreath was able to scratch eight points in the book, but missed finishing in double figures by leading Ripon to a 12-of-25 night from the free throw line.
The Indians will be back on the hardwood at 6 p.m. tonight when they meet up with former TVL foe and longtime neighboring rival Ripon Christian. The sophomore game tips off at 4:30.
“It is still a rivalry game, we are definitely going hard,” Wright said. “They’re doing well this season and we’re doing well too.
“We want to go out and win this game.”
Southern League
Ripon Ch. 60, Delhi 48
In Delhi, the conference-leading Knights (6-0, 13-5) fired off 16 unanswered points to start the second quarter and never looked back. The game was tied at 16 after the first.Ripon Ch. 60, Delhi 48
Brady Rhoda keyed the scoring spurt with two 3 pointers. Sophomore Dan Vos led the way with 14 points, while seniors Logan Vos and Isaac Norman turned in 13 and 11, respectively.
Aaron Fay also came up huge but on the defensive end. Delhi wing Jose Hernandez pumped in 10 points in the first quarter before Fay held him to five the rest of the way.
The Knights are excited to finally meet crosstown rival Ripon at their place today, even if game has no importance in league. Ripon remains in the Trans Valley League after the Sac-Joaquin Section’s latest realignment.
“I can tell the kids are up for it,” RC coach Ron Vander Molen said. “They’re asking me to open up the gym to shoot around (this) morning. It’s a big game for them, and it should be a good game. I think we’re evenly matched.”
— Jonamar Jacinto
Valley Oak League
Kimball 60 Lathrop 44
First-year varsity Kimball (1-5, 8-11) of Tracy notched its first-ever conference win while snapping a six-game losing streak.Kimball 60 Lathrop 44
The Jaguars led 16-14 before breaking it open with a 19-8 second quarter.
Ricky Chavez finished with 19 points to lead Lathrop (0-6, 2-14).
— Jonamar Jacinto
