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Lady Knights clinch share of SL crown
Ripon-Christian-file-pic
Kaylie Colyn contributed 12 points in Ripon Christians co-championship clinching win over Mariposa on Monday. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO

RIPON – Shea Williams got her points, but it wasn’t enough to derail Ripon Christian’s party plans.

The Knights celebrated into the night on Monday, reveling in their Southern League co-championship.

Three players scored in double figures and the Ripon Christian girls basketball team played stifling defense, daring Williams to beat it in a 55-25 victory.

Williams scored all 25 of Mariposa’s points as Ripon Christian made life unbearable for her teammates.

Teagan Manus paced the Knights with 16 points. Kaylie Colyn had 12 points and Rachel De Vries 11 for Ripon Christian, which has won 10 straight games.

RC (19-6) closed Southern League play at 13-1, tied atop the table with Turlock Christian. Afterwards, RC celebrated by cutting down the nets. And then it was off to coach Ed Mulder’s house for a champion’s feast – pizza.

“It’s not as good as winning it outright,” Mulder said, “but it’s nice to be co-champs.”

The Knights led 14-4 after the first quarter and continued to build on their lead until the final buzzer. They led by 17 at the half and 18 after three quarters.

Ripon Christian found a soft spot in the middle of Mariposa’s 3-2 zone and pounded it.

“Our offense was just patient. We did a nice job of rotating the ball,” Mulder said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well from the outside, but we did a great job of getting it inside and exploiting the middle of their zone.

“Defensively, we shut down everybody but Williams.”

Mulder gave his team the day off today. On Wednesday, they’ll learn of their playoff fate. Ripon Christian was ranked No. 4 in the latest Sac-Joaquin Section Division V power ratings.

“We won’t play the rest of this week and I think that helps,” Mulder said. “This time of the year you get tired legs.

“Having played well against Turlock Christian (No. 3 in Division V) and won 10 straight … anytime you got that kind of momentum, it gives you the sense that you can contend.”

 

Sophomores

Ripon Christian 67, Mariposa 32

RIPON – Ripon Christian stretched its unbeaten streak in the Southern League to three straight seasons, capping off another 14-0 campaign with a rout of Mariposa.

Three players scored 14 points apiece for the Knights, 19-0 overall.

Elisabeth Regusci had 14 points, eight assists and five steals, while twin sister Elise had 14 points and three steals.

Natalie Johnson nearly had a triple-double, recording nine steals and eight rebounds to go with her 14 points.

 

East Union 50, Weston Ranch 48

East Union erased a 10-point deficit in the final minute of regulation and then sealed the victory in overtime, handing Weston Ranch its first loss in Valley Oak League play on Saturday night.

Alissa Burrola and Destiny Flores led the late comeback. Burrola turned a pair of steals into four points and Flores knocked down the game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Flores scored nine of her 11 points in the fourth quarter and overtime period. Maddy Yslaba and Anna Wood led the Lancers (7-6, 14-9) with 12 points.

Victoria Gulley had 12 points and Holley Tepese 11 for the Cougars, whose perfect season seemed secure with less than a minute left in regulation.

 

Freshmen

Weston Ranch 41, East Union 32

Taylor Ward had 11 points and Ciara Goodwin seven for the Lancers in a season-ending defeat to Weston Ranch.