GALT — The Hack-a-Shaq tactic didn’t work for Chavez of Stockton in its Galt Warrior Classic opener against Ripon Christian Thursday.
That’s because Ripon Christian’s version of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal can actually sink his free throws.
Senior center Tyler Goslinga converted 14 of 18 free throws and finished with 34 points and 19 rebounds to highlight the Knights’ 75-62 win.
Chavez (1-5) had trouble with the 6-foot-8 center and Ripon Christian’s overall height, using its superior speed and scrappy defensive effort to stay within striking distance.
The Knights (4-0) were ahead 34-24 at halftime, but Chavez got as close as four late in the third. Goslinga and 6-4 forward Logan Vos combined to score 17 of Ripon Christian’s 27 points in the fourth.
Vos ended up with 16 points. Steve Vander molen chipped in eight points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
“We were able to maintain our composure in a physical and high-paced game,” Ripon Christian coach Ron Vander Molen said. “And we were able to handle Chavez’s press for the most part.
“We got it down to Tyler despite them putting pressure on our guards, and Tyler did a good job of finishing inside.”
Ripon Christian made Chavez pay for its aggressive play by draining 29 of its 40 foul shots. The Titans were led by freshman guards Eric Duncan and Thomas Wallace, who scored 21 and 17, respectively.
The Knights will meet the winner of the Summerville-McClatchy game in the semifinals today at 6:30.
Manteca beat Pitman 79-75 in the semifinal round of the Modesto City Classic on Dec. 4, and Gardner exploded for 52 points.
Thursday’s rematch was played a different pace without the fleet-footed Gardner, but it was a win nonetheless for Manteca. Trailing 36-32 after three, the Buffaloes limited Pitman to just four points in the fourth.
“Kiwi is obviously very important to us, but guys have to step up,” Manteca coach Dave Asuncion said. “They realized that we don’t necessarily have to try and replace him but maintain what we’ve been doing to pull out the win.”
Wing forward Gerry Cooper spearheaded the Buffaloes with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Guards Mitchell Hernandez and Ernie Pimentel poured in nine points apiece. Hernandez helped ice it with key free throws with under a minute to go.
Manteca goes head to head with small-school powerhouse Modesto Christian tonight at 7.
Matt Ratto paced the Indians with 16 points and dropped in four 3-pointers but shot 30 percent from the field. Forward Kody Wengel added 13 points and four rebounds.
Ripon faces the loser of the Berkeley-Freedom contest at 5 this evening.
They just shot better than us and they controlled the boards
Aside from the missed layups from point-blank range in the opening period, leading to a 22-10 deficit, head coach Ryan Bono wasn’t displeased by the effort put forth from his team.
With three starters listed at 6 feet, 4 inches and another at 6-5, the shorter Cougars were physically overwhelmed.
“(Rodriguez was) 8 of 12 shooting in the second quarter and a lot of that was on turnaround jumpers with hands in their faces,” Bono said. “There was nothing we can do.
“I’m happy with the way our guys played tonight. Even though the score didn’t reflect it, I thought we played good defense.”
Jason Steele scored 11 points in limited action for the Cougars. Steele participated in his first game after suffering a stress fracture in his hip during the football season. Melvin Allen added 10 points.
Weston Ranch next squares off with Florin today at 3:30 p.m.
That’s because Ripon Christian’s version of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal can actually sink his free throws.
Senior center Tyler Goslinga converted 14 of 18 free throws and finished with 34 points and 19 rebounds to highlight the Knights’ 75-62 win.
Chavez (1-5) had trouble with the 6-foot-8 center and Ripon Christian’s overall height, using its superior speed and scrappy defensive effort to stay within striking distance.
The Knights (4-0) were ahead 34-24 at halftime, but Chavez got as close as four late in the third. Goslinga and 6-4 forward Logan Vos combined to score 17 of Ripon Christian’s 27 points in the fourth.
Vos ended up with 16 points. Steve Vander molen chipped in eight points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
“We were able to maintain our composure in a physical and high-paced game,” Ripon Christian coach Ron Vander Molen said. “And we were able to handle Chavez’s press for the most part.
“We got it down to Tyler despite them putting pressure on our guards, and Tyler did a good job of finishing inside.”
Ripon Christian made Chavez pay for its aggressive play by draining 29 of its 40 foul shots. The Titans were led by freshman guards Eric Duncan and Thomas Wallace, who scored 21 and 17, respectively.
The Knights will meet the winner of the Summerville-McClatchy game in the semifinals today at 6:30.
Frank Godinez Tournament
Manteca 47, Pitman 40
TURLOCK — The Buffaloes (5-0) defeated Pitman of Turlock for the second time in seven days, this time doing so without star junior guard Kiwi Gardner. Manteca 47, Pitman 40
Manteca beat Pitman 79-75 in the semifinal round of the Modesto City Classic on Dec. 4, and Gardner exploded for 52 points.
Thursday’s rematch was played a different pace without the fleet-footed Gardner, but it was a win nonetheless for Manteca. Trailing 36-32 after three, the Buffaloes limited Pitman to just four points in the fourth.
“Kiwi is obviously very important to us, but guys have to step up,” Manteca coach Dave Asuncion said. “They realized that we don’t necessarily have to try and replace him but maintain what we’ve been doing to pull out the win.”
Wing forward Gerry Cooper spearheaded the Buffaloes with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Guards Mitchell Hernandez and Ernie Pimentel poured in nine points apiece. Hernandez helped ice it with key free throws with under a minute to go.
Manteca goes head to head with small-school powerhouse Modesto Christian tonight at 7.
Granada Holiday Invitational
Miramonte 64, Ripon 41
LIVERMORE — Ripon (3-2) trailed by 15, 41-26, at halftime and went ice cold in the third when it was outscored 17-3 by Miramonte (2-2).Miramonte 64, Ripon 41
Matt Ratto paced the Indians with 16 points and dropped in four 3-pointers but shot 30 percent from the field. Forward Kody Wengel added 13 points and four rebounds.
Ripon faces the loser of the Berkeley-Freedom contest at 5 this evening.
They just shot better than us and they controlled the boards
Mark Macres Tournament
Rodriguez 67, Weston Ranch 46
ELK GROVE — The Cougars (0-3) had trouble hitting shots in the first quarter. In the second, Rodriguez (4-0) of Fairfield couldn’t miss.Rodriguez 67, Weston Ranch 46
Aside from the missed layups from point-blank range in the opening period, leading to a 22-10 deficit, head coach Ryan Bono wasn’t displeased by the effort put forth from his team.
With three starters listed at 6 feet, 4 inches and another at 6-5, the shorter Cougars were physically overwhelmed.
“(Rodriguez was) 8 of 12 shooting in the second quarter and a lot of that was on turnaround jumpers with hands in their faces,” Bono said. “There was nothing we can do.
“I’m happy with the way our guys played tonight. Even though the score didn’t reflect it, I thought we played good defense.”
Jason Steele scored 11 points in limited action for the Cougars. Steele participated in his first game after suffering a stress fracture in his hip during the football season. Melvin Allen added 10 points.
Weston Ranch next squares off with Florin today at 3:30 p.m.
— Jonamar Jacinto
