With the Trans-Valley League boys basketball championship on the line Friday night, Ripon Christian freshman Jeremiah Lambdin had one job to do — stop visiting Sonora from scoring in the final seconds.
Mission accomplished.
Lambdin stood his ground as the Wildcats’ final shot to capture a share of the title rimmed out, and Ripon Christian ended up with the outright claim with the 63-62 victory.
After the Knights (11-1 TVL, 18-10 overall) had controlled most of the game, Sonora (10-2, 15-13) came roaring back to tie the game with 35 seconds remaining on a three-point play by Eli Engalls. Twenty-nine seconds later, Jake Vander Veen converted a free throw for the one-point lead, setting up one last chance for the Wildcats.
“Coach told me to get back and not let them score,” Lambdin said. “We work on walling up, and I didn’t let him get a free lane.”
Amos Cady (21 points) started the game on fire for the Knights, scoring 12 first-quarter points behind a pair of 3-pointers, finishing the night with five from behind the arc.
“I knew I had to have a big game tonight,” Cady said. “The guys got me the ball when I needed it. After I hit that first one the rest felt easier.”
Ripon Christian’s Jake Vander Veen led all scorers with 23 points, scoring 11 points in the final period and finishing with four 3-pointers.
“We knew it was going to be a tough one and we didn’t want to share the title,” Vander Veen said. “Amos (Cady) played great in the first quarter, but we made some mistakes in the end.
“I was able to knock over a free throw and great defense kept them from scoring at the end.”
Mason Tameling and Dylan Segaar chipped in six points apiece for the Knights.
“Sonora pressed us hard, but we came up with enough to win,” Knights coach Mark Hofman said. “Sonora is a very good basketball team.
“We have had a lot of close ones this year.”
Although Sonora’s last lead was at 5-3, the Wildcats battled back from a double-digit deficit midway through the third period to tie the game late, thanks in no small part to a trio of fourth-period 3-pointers from Steven Morfoot (16 points). Engalls added 16 points, Brady Johnson 13 and Rigo Estrella 11.
“We hustled and showed heart tonight,” Sonora coach Lloyd Longeway said. “They battled and they never blinked or quit.
“What a season it’s been.”
The season continues for both teams on Wednesday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs with the brackets being announced today. Coming into Friday night’s game Ripon Christian was seeded eighth and the Wildcats 14th.
