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Ripon girls snap MCs 98-game TVL streak
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With a league title in its sights, the Ripon High girls basketball team delivered a blow sure to send shockwaves throughout Northern California.

One thing is for certain: It was strong enough to knock Modesto Christian off its lofty perch.

Ruth Waters led three players in double figures with 27 points and the Indians snapped the Crusaders’ 98-game Trans-Valley League winning streak on Tuesday with a stunning 61-58 victory.

At times, Ripon made it look easy, too, building a lead as big as 10. The Indians never trailed, said coach George Contente.

Ripon (20-4) now has an inside track on a share of the TVL championship.

Both the Indians and Crusaders are 9-1 with two games left. Ripon closes with Hilmar (5-5) and Orestimba (0-10), while Modesto Christian takes on Riverbank (5-5) and Escalon (3-7).

“That was our main focus was to get the share of the title,” Contente said. “We knew that we could play with them and beat them. It was just a matter of execution and we shot the ball real well.”

Waters flirted with a triple-double, pulling down eight rebounds to go along with six assists and three steals. She was 8 for 10 from the free-throw line.

Tia Sidtikun finished with 14 points and five rebounds, while Kelsey Alexander had 10 points and five rebounds.

Ripon shot 23 of 43 from the floor, and Waters and Sidtikun were 4 for 4 from the free-throw line at the end of the game.

“Those are the girls we count on, along with Kelsey,” Contente said. “And they came through.”

Ashley Lucas paced Modesto Christian (17-8) with 20 points.

 

Sonora 66, Lathrop 45

Lathrop turned the ball over 23 times and was outscored 40-15 in the first and third quarters en route to a disappointing road defeat.

Loreal Taylor had 21 points, 12 rebounds and one blocked shot and Akilah Lesley finished with 12 for Lathrop, which had been inching toward a Division IV playoff berth.

Lathrop is now 4-8 in Valley Oak League play.

“This is not going to help us,” said coach Ed Fang, whose club had moved up to No. 19 in the latest power ratings.

 

Ripon Christian 52, Delhi 21

Teagan Manus had 11 points and Kaylie Colyn finished with 10 for Ripon Christian, which improved to 11-1 in Southern League play and 17-6 overall.

 

Sophomore

Modesto Chr. 52, Ripon 37

Ripon led at the break 24-22, but second-half turnovers proved to be the difference maker.

Zaire Davis paced Ripon (8-2 TVL, 20-2) with 10 points, while Elle Waters chipped in nine.