RIPON — Rod Wright knows that no lead is safe against Hilmar.
His Ripon High boys basketball team held a 14-point advantage at halftime but had to stave off the Yellowjackets in a 54-49 Trans-Valley League win.
“We played pretty well in the first half despite getting into some foul trouble,” Wright said. “Hilmar continued to play hard, and you have to commit to playing as hard as your opponent and they did a good job. Making some 3s also helped them.”
Alec Cano recorded a game-high 23 points and drilled five 3s for Hilmar (3-4 TVL, 11-9 overall), which made six of its nine from the beyond the arc in the second half. The Yellowjackets were able to cut the deficit to three.
Aaron Paschini led the Indians (6-1, 18-4) with 15 points, and Cole Stevens had 11. Stevens knocked down 6 of 9 free throws in the fourth quarter to help keep Hilmar at bay.

Ripon Christian 80, Hughson 48
RIPON — Coming off a heartbreaking loss to rival Ripon, the Knights (6-1, 13-7) took their frustrations out on last-place Hughson (1-7, 9-12) on Friday.
It was still competitive by halftime, Ripon Christian led 31-25, but a 29-pound explosion — which included seven 3s — in the third quarter helped the Knights break it open. Daniel Hannink made seven 3s himself and finished with a game-high 26 points. Zach Cortright, Ty Beidleman and Drew Vander Weide chipped in 10 apiece.
“They know they let one get away (Tuesday against Ripon) and they responded,” Ripon Christian coach Mark Hofman said.

Freshman
Ripon 76, Hilmar 16
Point guard Spencer Schroen had a triple-double with 20 points, 14 assists and 10 steals in the rout.
Adam Wood and Dallas Waters added 19 and 12 points, respectively.