The Weston Ranch High girls’ basketball team worked the press for the first time Friday.

“We’ve had five practices since I’ve been back and so (the press defense) is still new,” said Chris Bauer following his team’s 61-45 non-league victory over visiting West High.

Freshman guard Shania Watts helped pace Weston Ranch (3-4), creating turnovers with her disruptive defensive play and helping speed up the pace on the offensive end, in particular, during the second half.

“They were killing us with the lobs inside,” said Bauer, referring to the Wolf Pack offense consisting of feeding the ball inside to senior forward Alexia Croffet and junior center Melisa Toilolo.

West (4-6) jumped out to the early lead behind the one-two punch of Croffet and Toilolo, who scored 10 of her 13 points in the first half. She also had 15 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

Jennalyn Laminero, who, like Watts, is another sparkplug for the Cougars. She helped ignite a rally late in the first half by banking in a shot.

Darnaysha Huff and Zahbria Hendrix, who nailed a trey, put Weston Ranch ahead, 24-23. Watts made it 27-23 with her 3 right before the break.

The Cougars picked up the tempo in the second half, creating points off their defense with Watts and Kyshanti King driving to the bucket for layups, and Kaila Comerie scoring on a put-back.

Croffet, who had 17 points, kept West within striking distance.

King caught fire in the final period, hitting 11 of her game-high 20 points. Watts, who assisted some those baskets off steals, and Huff, who triggered the fast-break with her outlet passes off rebounds, were catalysts in the 24-11 close-out run.

Huff had 13 points and 10 rebounds, Watts chipped in with 12 points and five steals, and Hendrix added eight points and five boards.

“We also hit some big shots when the clock was winding down,” Bauer noted.

East Union 61, Stagg 23

The Lancers only used their starters for the first half. But the damage had already been done.

“We played everyone tonight,” said East Union coach Jim Agostini.

The result of that was 11 of the 12 scoring baskets in the process.

Donja Payne led the way for the Lancers (4-3), hitting for 15 points while pulling down 12 boards and blocking five shots.

Sophomore guard Lauren Pablo netted 12 points and senior Nina Murphy chipped in with 10.

East Union will travel to Sonora on Monday.

Enochs 60, Sierra 43

The Timberwolves (5-3) will look to rebound from Wednesday’s non-league loss at Enochs today at Central Valley.

This is a make-up game from earlier in the season. It was postponed due poor air quality from last month’s Camp Fires.

Tip-off is 3:30 p.m.

Mountain House Tournament

Colfax 44, Manteca 39

The Buffaloes (5-3) will renew an old rivalry against Lathrop in the Mountain House Tournament today.

Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Mountain House High.

Manteca fell to Colfax (9-1) as Grace Bliss scored eight of her game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter.

“We jumped out to an 8-0 lead,” Buffaloes coach Ryan Bono said.

Sophomore point guard Kyaria Jacobs led Manteca with 15 points. Jayda Jackson chipped in with 15.

Swett 65, Lathrop 61

The Spartans (6-2) made a strong comeback in the second half after playing sluggishly during the first two quarters.

“I told the girls at halftime that they can either lose big or play hard,” Lathrop coach Dwayne Davis said.

The Spartans overcame the 20-plus point deficit to pull to within three.

“We had a chance to tie it late in the game but we missed a 3,” Davis added.

Mary Cotton led Lathrop with 22 points and Khiya Thornton talied 14. Kaysey Matela hit for eight and Kiersten Constantino and Ayon Carter had seven each in the loss.  

Ripon 59, 

Mountain House 55

The Indians bounced back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit. 

Tianna Sidtikun and Sydney Thomason (19 rebounds) led the Ripon defense. 

Reina Sausedo paced the Indians with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Sidtikun added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. 

Ripon plays Sonora this morning at 11.

Sophomores

West 40, Weston Ranch 38

The Cougars were caught up in a see-saw battle with the Wolf Pack in Friday’s non-league home game.

West went ahead in the final minute and held on for the win.

Leazae Smith led Weston Ranch with 20 points.