MOUNTAIN HOUSE — Ripon’s boys basketball team established itself as the team to beat Friday after crushing Mountain House 71-48 in a battle showcasing the two remaining undefeated teams in the Trans-Valley League.
It didn’t always look pretty for the Indians (3-0 TVL, 14-4), who trailed 8-6 late in the first quarter before bursting past the Mustangs with a 28-3 run to end the half.
“We finally decided to wake up and play,” Ripon coach Rod Wright said. “Once we got the defense rolling the layups started coming.”
There was no stopping Ripon from there, as the lead grew to 31 at one point in the second half.
Noah Hernandez led the balanced Indians with 14 points. Cole Stevens contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Sisk added 13 points. Ripon was rewarded for its aggressiveness on the offensive end and made 19 of 32 free throws.
Cameron Palmer scored 16 points for Mountain House (2-1, 12-6).

Hilmar, 63,
Ripon Christian 54
HILMAR — The host Yellowjackets (3-1 TVL, 11-7 overall) overcame a 30-19 halftime deficit with a 27-point explosion in the third quarter.
Kole Gaglio paced Hilmar with 23 points, while Ripon Christian (1-3, 10-7) was anchored by Andrew Vander Wide’s 21 points.

Freshman
Ripon 41,
Mountain House 37
MOUNTAIN HOUSE — Troy Brogan’s 12 points and 10 rebounds helped Ripon (3-0, 15-1) sneak out of Mountain House with a victory.
Nico Ilardi aided the cause with nine points and seven rebounds. Danny Hernandez had seven boards and five assists.

GIRLS HOOPS
 Weston Ranch 49, Oakdale 44
OAKDALE — Weston Ranch (1-3 Valley Oak League, 7-7 overall) ended a four-game slide while winnings its first league game thanks to a late-game flurry.
With a little less than 3 minutes to go, Nia Boston tied it at 42-42 after she completed a 3-point play. Justice Stitt’s corner 3-pointer on the Cougars’ next possession gave them the lead for good. Asia Stamps and Vanessa Vega then combined to convert four straight free throws to ice it.
Stitt finished with a game-high 23 points, and Stamps added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Oakdale (1-3, 11-6) got 16 points from Zoe Gillen.

Central Catholic 66, Sierra 47
Visiting Central Catholic (2-2 VOL, 11-5 overall) jumped out to a 19-6 lead and didn’t let up from there.
Fourth-year standout Danielle Friedrich poured in 21 points for the Raiders. Sierra (0-4, 2-14) countered with 22 points from Alison Edwards.

Freshman
Weston Ranch 44,
Oakdale 19
OAKDALE — Jennalyn Laminero accumulated 18 points and four steals as Weston Ranch (3-0, 8-5) opened up with an 18-4 lead.
Ahbria Hendrix (four steals) and Darnaysha Huff (five rebounds, three blocks) fired nine points apiece.

BOYS SOCCER
Gustine 6,
Ripon Christian 0
GUSTINE — The Reds (2-2 Southern League, 6-8-1 overall) scored in the second and 13th minutes before opening up a gaping 5-0 halftime lead.
Ripon Christian goalie Josh Tatton racked up 12 saves but left the game with a hurt leg after a collision with a Gustine forward. Nick Van Vliet manned the goal for the remainder of the match, finishing with six saves.