TURLOCK — After coasting to the Big Valley Christian Holiday Classic title against smaller schools last week, Ripon is being tested against the big boys in the 39th Frank Godinez Tournament held at Turlock High.

So far, so good.

The Indians battled back from an early 14-6 deficit and toppled Division I West of Tracy in overtime 66-59 in the opening round Thursday. Coach Rod Wright was anxious to see how his team would respond after suffering its first loss the night before at Lathrop, 74-69.

“After Lathrop they were disappointed,” Wright said. “It was like, ‘Are we as good as we think we are?’ A little doubt crept in and they had something to prove against West. I told the guys it would be easy for us to go 0-4 this week playing against bigger schools that are more athletic.”

Ripon (5-1) bounced back well after its slow start, outscoring the Wolf Pack (3-4) 20-11 in the second quarter. It was back and forth from there.

Michael Hayes, West’s impressive 6-foot-4 sophomore forward who finished with 16 points, tied it at 54-54 late in regulation. He had two shots win it in the final seconds before the game went to overtime.

The Indians took over early in the extra period, starting on an 8-0 run thanks two free throws from Cole Stevens (22 points) and back-to-back 3-pointers from Aaron Paschini (18 points). They each sank three 3s for the night.

Andrew Wood contributed 12 points, and Cody Haines pulled down 12 rebounds. Isaiah Abdul and Isaiah Grady scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, for West.

Ripon takes on Pitman (1-5), another Division I school, in the winners-bracket semifinals tonight starting at 7.

Nonleague

East Union 53,
 Gregori 41

MODESTO — With the rest of his team struggling on the offensive end, junior guard Gyse Hulsebosch carried the load for East Union (5-1).

Hulsebosch knocked down four 3-pointers but found a variety of ways to score in his 30-point outburst. The Lancers trailed 14-7 after the first quarter.

“He kept us in it,” East Union coach Ryan Tarr said. “He scored 17 first-half points and did a little bit of everything for us offensively. He had a solid night.”

With Hulsebosch lighting it up on the offensive end, it was the defense that helped East Union widen its second-half lead. The Lancers outscored the Jaguars 13-2 in the third quarter.

“We didn’t make any adjustments, we just executed what we wanted to do better,” Tarr said.

Bret Harte Tournament

Ripon Christian 43,
Wallenberg 27

ANGELS CAMP — Wallenberg of San Francisco managed to control the pace with its deliberate attack, but it wasn’t enough to get past Ripon Christian (4-1).

The Knights got all the separation they needed with a 16-6 first-quarter run. Zach Cortright led the way with 11 points, and Ty Beidleman had 10. They’ll get a chance to avenge their lone loss of the season in the semifinals today when they take on undefeated Calaveras (6-0), which previously downed Ripon Christian 51-45 in Riverbank’s tournament.

Sophomore

Manteca 66,
 Modesto Christian 51

LATHROP — Jorge Cedano Jr. fired 23 points, while Gino Campiotti poured in 12 of his 18 in the first quarter of the Buffaloes’ opening-round victory in the Lathrop Tournament.

Manteca (2-1) also had key contributions in the second half from Kyle Bolding (nine points, three 3-pointers) and Antwann Taylor (eight points). The Buffs next play St. Mary’s tonight in the semifinals.

Freshman

Modesto Christian 44, Manteca 37

LATHROP — Jeffrey Cruz and Riley Artery combined to score the majority of Manteca’s points, turning in 13 and 11 points, respectively.