RIPON — Coach Ron Vander Molen is looking for more consistency from his Ripon Christian High boys varsity basketball squad as the regular season winds down.
“We’ll need it for the playoffs,” he said after Tuesday’s 81-65 Southern League victory over Delhi.
Vander Molen had some reason for concern for league-champion Ripon Christian (13-0, 21-5).
“We were missing easy shots,” he said. “In order for us to do well (in the playoffs) we have to play consistently.”
The Knights experienced some lapses, in particular, the third quarter, allowing Delhi (3-10, 7-19) to pull to within five points of the lead.
Guillermo Ramirez launched a 22-foot 3-point basket, capping off a 9-0 rally by the Hawks.
“Credit Delhi for showing no quit,” Vander Molen said.
Ahead 55-50, Ripon Christian dashed Delhi’s comeback hopes on back-to-back treys — both bank shots — from Josh Van Groningen.
From that point, the Knights pulled away, going on a 15-7 run while building up a 78-59 advantage. They used crisp passing, finding the open man inside for the high-percentage shot. Jared Goslinga, Dan Vos, Aaron Fay, Jordan Goslinga, and Logan Vos contributed to the cause, with James Vander Schaaf adding the finishing touches.
Dan Vos was the top scorer, finishing with 19 points including five 3s. Logan Vos netted eight of his 16 points in the first half, and Jared Goslinga hit for 12.
Ripon Christian will travel to Gustine on Friday.
Ripon (8-3 TVL, 15-11 overall) got a solid performance from senior Jared Ratto who had 19, but could not slow down Riverbank leading scorer Zach Gonzalez who led all scorers with 27 before fouling out of the contest.
Ripon found itself on top of the host Bruins late in the fourth and looked on its way to a win when the Bruins missed a deep 3-point attempt after holding on for the final shot. The errant jumper bounced into the hands of freshman Rolaun Dunham and he converted.
Ripon had 4.6 seconds to work with and raced the length of the court only to see its final opportunity fall helplessly to the ground cementing the club’s third league loss.
Jake McCreath finished in double figures with 10 and Cole Herren added nine in the loss.
Ripon will be back on the court Friday when they travel to Orestimba to take on the Warriors. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Juniors, and twin sisters, Mikaela and Morgan Alger led the way with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Mikaela posted a double-double, adding 11 rebounds.
Sophomores Ruth Waters and Tia Sidtikun added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
“A lot of our kids stepped up, and we need that going into the playoffs,” said Ripon coach George Contente, whose team improved to 9-3 in the TVL and 20-5 overall.
“We’ll need it for the playoffs,” he said after Tuesday’s 81-65 Southern League victory over Delhi.
Vander Molen had some reason for concern for league-champion Ripon Christian (13-0, 21-5).
“We were missing easy shots,” he said. “In order for us to do well (in the playoffs) we have to play consistently.”
The Knights experienced some lapses, in particular, the third quarter, allowing Delhi (3-10, 7-19) to pull to within five points of the lead.
Guillermo Ramirez launched a 22-foot 3-point basket, capping off a 9-0 rally by the Hawks.
“Credit Delhi for showing no quit,” Vander Molen said.
Ahead 55-50, Ripon Christian dashed Delhi’s comeback hopes on back-to-back treys — both bank shots — from Josh Van Groningen.
From that point, the Knights pulled away, going on a 15-7 run while building up a 78-59 advantage. They used crisp passing, finding the open man inside for the high-percentage shot. Jared Goslinga, Dan Vos, Aaron Fay, Jordan Goslinga, and Logan Vos contributed to the cause, with James Vander Schaaf adding the finishing touches.
Dan Vos was the top scorer, finishing with 19 points including five 3s. Logan Vos netted eight of his 16 points in the first half, and Jared Goslinga hit for 12.
Ripon Christian will travel to Gustine on Friday.
Riverbank 57, Ripon 56
The Indians had an opportunity to sneak out of Riverbank with a Trans Valley League win, but after grabbing their first lead with just over 30-seconds remaining, Ripon could not close the deal in a one-point loss to the Bruins Tuesday.Ripon (8-3 TVL, 15-11 overall) got a solid performance from senior Jared Ratto who had 19, but could not slow down Riverbank leading scorer Zach Gonzalez who led all scorers with 27 before fouling out of the contest.
Ripon found itself on top of the host Bruins late in the fourth and looked on its way to a win when the Bruins missed a deep 3-point attempt after holding on for the final shot. The errant jumper bounced into the hands of freshman Rolaun Dunham and he converted.
Ripon had 4.6 seconds to work with and raced the length of the court only to see its final opportunity fall helplessly to the ground cementing the club’s third league loss.
Jake McCreath finished in double figures with 10 and Cole Herren added nine in the loss.
Ripon will be back on the court Friday when they travel to Orestimba to take on the Warriors. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Girls
Ripon Christian 66, Delhi 20
RaeAnn DeRousse, one of three players recognized on Senior Night Monday, pulled down 13 rebounds for the Knights (10-3, 17-7). Janelle Engel and Janeen Viss were also honored.Ripon Christian 66, Delhi 20
Juniors, and twin sisters, Mikaela and Morgan Alger led the way with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Mikaela posted a double-double, adding 11 rebounds.
Ripon 61, Riverbank 27
At Ripon High, Alissa Vickers got hot from the perimeter and led three Indians in double figures with 14 points.Sophomores Ruth Waters and Tia Sidtikun added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
“A lot of our kids stepped up, and we need that going into the playoffs,” said Ripon coach George Contente, whose team improved to 9-3 in the TVL and 20-5 overall.
