The Ripon Christian High girls’ varsity hoop squad opened rolled to a 52-17 non-league win over visiting Stoneridge Christian of Merced on Thursday.
“We needed a game like this,” said Knights coach Ed Mulder of his already battle-tested team.
RC (5-4) wasted little time getting untracked. Rilee Clark, in particular, sizzled from behind the arc, nailing three straight 3s to get her team a quick 9-0 lead.
Morgan Van Elderen netted all seven of her points to close out the first, boosting the Knights’ advantage, 17-1.
Down 31-3 at the intermission, Stoneridge had been held without a field goal, finally nailing a bucket at the 4:30 mark of the third.
By then, Carissa Hoekstra made it a 37-5 deficit.
RC dominated on both ends of the court, with the defense also forcing several shot clock violations.
Every player on the roster scored, including Samantha Anema, who was promoted to varsity just for this game. She finished with eight points, three rebounds and two steals.
Brown led all scorers with 11. Lexi Hilvers added nine points and eight boards while Van Elderen also dished out six assists to go with her four rebounds and a block.
Natasha Smith had six rebounds, with five of those being on the offensive glass.
Mia Rodriguez led Stoneridge (4-5) with seven points.
RC will open Trans Valley League play on Tuesday at Hughson.
Weston Ranch 71, Central Valley 31
The Cougars (3-4) continued non-league play Thursday by trouncing Central Valley.
They jumped out to a 23-9 first-quarter lead and built that up to 43-21 by the break.
“It was a good night for us,” said Weston Ranch coach Chris Bauer. “We’re slowly coming together as team.”
The Cougars will take on West at 7 o’clock tonight.
Against Central Valley (1-4), Weston Ranch was led by sophomore guard Kyshanti King, who had a game-high 18 points.
Shania Watt and Jennalyn Laminero both netted 10 and Allyson Bacuyani added nine.
Mountain House Tournament
Ripon 56, Liberty Ranch 22
Reina Sausedo scored as much as the entire Liberty Ranch squad in the Mountain House Tournament opener on Thursday.
“We started strong and finished strong,” said Indians coach Rick Inderbitizen, whose team will play host Mountain House today at 7 p.m.
Sausedo had a game-high 22 points and Tianna Sidtikun chipped in with eight. Myra Toledo and Mia Van Lewen added five points each.
“Everyone contributed tonight,” Inderbitizen said. “It was a good win.”
He was especially thrilled to have Van Lewen back. She was recovering from a concussion and saw limited action.
Swett 68, Manteca 41
The Buffaloes (5-4) struggled scoring against Swett (8-3) in second-round action of the Mountain House Tournament.
They’ll play Colfax at 8:30 p.m. today at Mountain House.
Jayda Jackson led Manteca with 19 points in the loss.
Colfax 52, Lathrop 51
The Spartans (6-1) suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Colfax (9-1) at Mountain House.
“We got out-executed,” said Dwayne Davis, who watched Colfax go ahead for good on a backdoor cut.
He added: “I’m disappointed with the loss but at the same time we needed a tough game like this to prepare us for league.”
Mary Cotton led Lathrop with 18 points and Ayon Carter netted 15. Freshman point guard Kiersten Constantino added eight.
The Spartans will take on Swett from the North Coast Section today at 5:30 p.m.
Boys varsity
Gallo Invitational
Sacramento 77, Manteca 52
The Buffaloes had a good start against Sacramento at the Mark Gallo Invitational at Central Catholic High.
“We ran out of gas and started making some mistakes,” said Manteca coach Brett Lewis, referring to what transpired late in the game. “We proved that we can hang with a good team.”
Micah Scott-Kelly got hot for Sacramento (3-2) late in the game, hitting four 3s while finishing with 21 points. His teammate Izayah Talmadge had a game-high 26 and Mile Lewis added 15.
Jordan Burciaga led the Buffaloes (5-1) with 15 and 12 rebounds. Miguel Sequeria chipped in with 10, Rashawn Ballard had nine and Nick Bell finished with eight,
Jorge Cedano dished out five assists for the Buffaloes, who will take on Gregori in the fifth-place bracket beginning at 3:30 p.m. today.
Beyer 64, Ripon 54 OT
The Indians tied the game in regulation at 52-52 against Beyer in the consolation bracket of the Mark Gallo Invitational.
“We couldn’t put anything together after that,” said Ripon coach Justin Davis of the extra session.
Beyer went on a 12-2 run in the overtime.
Adam Wood led Ripon (3-5) with 14 points including four 3s. Vincent Olmo had 11 points and 11 boards and Troy Brogan finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Baz Cheema, in addition, finished with 10 points.
West Holiday Classic
Enoch 76, Lathrop 67
TRACY – The Spartans (5-5) suffered an opening loss Thursday to Enoch in the Holiday Classic played at Merrill West High.
Running with the Pack Tournament
Consumnes Oaks 64, East Union 38
ELK GROVE – The Lancers fell to host Consumnes Oaks in the opener of the Running with the Pack Tournament on Thursday.
“We got hit hard today,” said East Union coach James Scott following the loss.
Asiah Scott led the Lancers, who will play either Union Mine or McQueen at 5:30 p.m. today, with 11 points and nine rebounds.
