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RC Knights host battle for NorCal title on Tuesday
RC basket
Ripon Christians Andrew Vander Weide (55) is fouled by Fall Rivers Zach Thompson on Saturday in an 86-56 win for the Knights over the visiting Bulldogs in semifinal action of the CIF State NorCal Division VI Championships. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/The Bulletin

RIPON – Coming into Saturday night’s semifinal CIF NorCal Division VI semifinal playoff game with visiting No. 4 Fall River, Ripon Christian’s Andrew Vander Weide was the only Knights player averaging in double figures at 16.2 points per game.

 He only had eight points in Ripon Christian’s 86-56 handling of the Bulldogs, but with all eyes on Vander Weide three of his teammates broke into double figures to lead the top-seeded Knights into the championship game Tuesday night when Ripon Christian hosts No. 6 Sacramento Adventist of Carmichael at 7 p.m. 

“They were doubling Andrew (Vander Weide) before he even got the ball,” Knights coach Mark Hofman said. “Because of the attention he attracted a lot of the other guys got shots. It doesn’t seem like he was dominant, but he really was. Fletcher Jackson played great with his floor leadership and Cade Alger chipped in 13 points. 

“It was a big team win. Team defense was great and rebounding was great.”

Ripon Christian jumped out to a 7-0 lead and led 43-20 at halftime, scoring another 43 in the second half. Jackson led the team with 14 points followed by Alger’s 13 and Braden Van Groningen with 10.