Ripon High basketball standouts Vincent Olmo and Reina Sausedo went about dominating the Trans-Valley League in different ways, and they were rewarded for their outstanding seasons.
The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Olmo was a force in the paint on both ends of the court for the Indians (12-0, 21-7 overall), leading them to an undefeated finish in league. Sausedo, a 5-5 guard, did it with finesse and scrappy play on the perimeter, and the Ripon girls team (11-1, 22-5) rode the talented sophomore to its own outright championship.
They were both voted the TVL’s Most Valuable Players.
“Vincent was the difference maker in the middle,” said Ripon coach Rod Wright, who resigned following the team’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV opening-round loss to Calaveras. He was named Coach of the Year.
“He was a big guy who altered shots and got every rebound,” Wright added. “He was the one that solidified the back line of the defense. Offensively, the kids were looking for him. His footwork and post moves improved, and teams had trouble shutting him down.”
Olmo averaged 13.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.0 rebounds overall. He came up big in back-to-back road wins over Hilmar and Hughson, totaling 42 points, 33 rebounds and nine blocks.
Senior guard Kyle Sisk (14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.4 steals) and sophomore Troy Brogan (9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds) are Ripon’s All-TVL first-team selections. Juniors Adam Wood and Baz Cheema earned honorable mention.
All-league first-teamers for Ripon Christian (8-4, 20-9), which is currently competing in the CIF Northern California Division VI Regional Championships, are senior forward Andrew Vander Weide (16.2 points), point guard Fletcher Jackson (8.8 points) and off-guard Cade Alger (7.6 points) Braden Van Groningen and Jadon Vander Molen made honorable mention.
The electric Sausedo recorded 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 4.7 steals while making 49 percent of her field goal attempts and 35% of 3-pointers in league. She torched Riverbank for a season-high 35 points to go with 10 rebounds.
Sausedo remained productive despite battling through various ailments throughout the season, including a double-ear infection, a sprained ankle and the flu.
“She can do it all,” Ripon coach Rick Inderbitzin said. “She is one of the hardest-working players I’ve ever coached she does not like to lose. Other coaches said she’s hands down the best player in league.”
Sophomore newcomer Tianna Sidtikun (7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.0 steals), the TVL’s Offensive Player of the Year for soccer last year, made an immediate impact and was among three Lady Indians — including senior forward Savannah Clark (8.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals) and third-year center Mia Van Lewen (5.3 points, 5.4 rebounds) — to make the all-league first team.
SJS Division VI champion Ripon Christian (6-6, 17-13) has two all-league selections in sophomore point guard Morgan Van Elderen (13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals) and junior forward Renae Heida (10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds).
Ripon’s Rachel Sausedo and Ripon Christian’s Kelly Engel earned honorable mention. Hughson’s Will Fiveash and Hailey Chavez of Hilmar are the Most Outstanding Players.
