Lathrop High’s first-ever varsity boys basketball victory didn’t come as easily as head coach J.J. Ramirez had hoped Tuesday.
But Ramirez, after suffering through a 0-24 season last year with no seniors, will gladly take the long-awaited win.
His Spartans put a terrible first-half effort behind them to knock off visiting Liberty Ranch of Galt, 49-48.
Liberty Ranch (1-4), which is in its first varsity season, led 20-10 at halftime after holding Lathrop to just two points in the second quarter. Lathrop fired 18 points in the third to get on track.
The Hawks had a chance to win it at the buzzer but missed a 3-point try.
“It took some determination,” Ramirez said. “At halftime we talked about sharing the ball better and stepping it up defensively. We didn’t make any changes, we stuck with the game plan and the kids just executed better. That was the difference in the second half.”
The difference in the fourth quarter, when Lathrop (1-2) erupted for 21 points, was Andrew Kouvanis. He heated up on both ends of the court, creating turnovers and capitalizing on the other end with fastbreak buckets to score 11 of his team-high 15 points.
Ricky Chavez added 12 points, and Eric Davis finished with eight.
“The last few years have been a work in progress,” Ramirez said. “These juniors and seniors have worked really hard to get to where we’re at.”
Lathrop will get a good look at some of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s elite programs in the Rocklin Holiday Tournament starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Spartans open with Woodcreek (7-0) of Roseville.
Lexy Posz produced 15 points, six rebounds and three steals. Briona Fonenot contributed 13 points, and forward Shalane Jackson had eight points and eight rebounds.
East Union next hosts Ripon Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
Jakia Richmond anchored the team with 12 points.
Picking up wins for Ripon were: Corey Goodwin (125, fall), Zachary Hidalgo (152, fall), Trevor Daniel (160, 8-4 decision), Trevor Smith (171, fall), Carlos Gutierrez (189, 10-6 decision), Travis Smith (215, fall), Samuel Beeler (285, 7-2 decision).
“We wrestled so much better tonight than we did last week,” coach Glen White said in reference to a dual match with Lathrop. “I know Lathrop is a tougher team than the one we saw tonight, but the kids were a little more up for it. They were doing stuff that they were working on in practice.”
But Ramirez, after suffering through a 0-24 season last year with no seniors, will gladly take the long-awaited win.
His Spartans put a terrible first-half effort behind them to knock off visiting Liberty Ranch of Galt, 49-48.
Liberty Ranch (1-4), which is in its first varsity season, led 20-10 at halftime after holding Lathrop to just two points in the second quarter. Lathrop fired 18 points in the third to get on track.
The Hawks had a chance to win it at the buzzer but missed a 3-point try.
“It took some determination,” Ramirez said. “At halftime we talked about sharing the ball better and stepping it up defensively. We didn’t make any changes, we stuck with the game plan and the kids just executed better. That was the difference in the second half.”
The difference in the fourth quarter, when Lathrop (1-2) erupted for 21 points, was Andrew Kouvanis. He heated up on both ends of the court, creating turnovers and capitalizing on the other end with fastbreak buckets to score 11 of his team-high 15 points.
Ricky Chavez added 12 points, and Eric Davis finished with eight.
“The last few years have been a work in progress,” Ramirez said. “These juniors and seniors have worked really hard to get to where we’re at.”
Lathrop will get a good look at some of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s elite programs in the Rocklin Holiday Tournament starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Spartans open with Woodcreek (7-0) of Roseville.
Girls basketball
East Union 58, Bear Creek 40
In Stockton, the Lancers (3-1) opened up with a 19-4 first-quarter cushion and sat comfortably the rest of the way.East Union 58, Bear Creek 40
Lexy Posz produced 15 points, six rebounds and three steals. Briona Fonenot contributed 13 points, and forward Shalane Jackson had eight points and eight rebounds.
East Union next hosts Ripon Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
Weston Ranch 44, Tracy 42
In Tracy, the Cougars (3-3) shook off a poor start with a 12-0 scoring run to start the second half. Weston Ranch was down 9-3 after the first quarter, and 18-16 at halftime.Jakia Richmond anchored the team with 12 points.
Wrestling
Ripon 45, Waterford 30
The Indians (4-5) dominated the upper-weight matches, winning every bout from 152 pounds to 285.Ripon 45, Waterford 30
Picking up wins for Ripon were: Corey Goodwin (125, fall), Zachary Hidalgo (152, fall), Trevor Daniel (160, 8-4 decision), Trevor Smith (171, fall), Carlos Gutierrez (189, 10-6 decision), Travis Smith (215, fall), Samuel Beeler (285, 7-2 decision).
“We wrestled so much better tonight than we did last week,” coach Glen White said in reference to a dual match with Lathrop. “I know Lathrop is a tougher team than the one we saw tonight, but the kids were a little more up for it. They were doing stuff that they were working on in practice.”
