Lathrop trailed by as much as 10 in the third quarter at Sonora but came back to squeak out a well-earned 64-58 victory Friday night.
“It’s scary coming up here,” Lathrop coach Nathan McGrath said. “This is one we could not afford to drop. It was a gutsy come-from-behind win at a tough place to play.”
Nicholaus Obazuaye pumped in 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the Spartans (7-4, 14-9 overall), who remain in second place in the Valley Oak League’s race for three postseason spots. Isaiah Ellis chipped in 12 points, and T.J. Conley turned in eight points and seven rebounds.
Kahale Warring topped three Sonora players in double figures with 20 points. The Wildcats fell to 3-9 in league.
An improved effort on the boards and on defense ignited the Spartans’ comeback, and they made 6 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal it.
“We were able to erase the 10-point lead in about 2 ½ minutes because we went to our strengths,” McGrath said.
TRANS-VALLEY
Riverbank 66, Ripon 56
The Indians (4-5 TVL, 6-17 overall) put forth one of their best efforts of the season but couldn’t get over the hump against the Trans-Valley League’s No. 2 squad.
Ripon led 21-16 after the first quarter, but four-year standout Rolaun Dunham and the Bruins (9-1, 19-2) took over from there. Dunham finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds and was aided by Curtis Porter’s 21 points.
SOUTHERN
Ripon Ch. 53, Denair 34
Travis Vander Molen helped Ripon Christian (9-2 SL, 17-5 overall) snap out of its lackluster first half and pumped in a game-high 19 points.
The Knights only led 27-21 at halftime against the outmatched Coyotes (2-9, 7-16). Vander Molen scored nine of his team’s 13 points in the third as RC shot out to a more comfortable lead. Eric Broker contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
Sophomore boys
Sonora 44, Lathrop 40
Charlie Dunn fired 21 points to lead Sonora to victory. Lathrop was paced by Mike Osorno’s 13 points.
Sophomore girls
Ripon Christian 39, Denair 29
The Lady Knights (11-0 SL, 21-7 overall) got past their stiffest challenge in league Thursday night by holding Denair to three fourth-quarter points. Ripon Christian led 26-25 after three quarters.
Jessica Van Vliet was the top scorer for RC with 13 points.
Freshman boys
Lathrop 47, Sonora 45
Amritpal Singh and Parth Ghai netted 12 points apiece to lead Lathrop. Singh also pulled down eight rebounds.
Lathrop escapes Sonora with win