Charles Mapanao hit a pair of 3-pointers in a 10-0 River Islands run Friday night that gave the Riptide an 11-point lead the third quarter, and they held on for a 63-58 non-league boys basketball win over visiting Sierra.
Mapanao (three rebounds, two blocks, steal) hit five from behind the arc and shared high-point honors with Sierra’s Romeo Callender (four rebounds, steal, assist) with 16 points.
“I work on the 3-pointers with extra reps every day and it pays off in the games,” Mapanao said. “I try to help my team out shooting 3-pointers, and even when I am not shooting the other team concentrates on me so my teammates get open.”
Zachary Basurto flirted with a double-double for the Riptide (11-10), scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds with three blocks.
“Coach gave me a job to do; to get some stops and rebounds and I think that’s what I did,” Basurto said. “
Basurto came out from his post position to be part of the River Islands 3-point parade in the third period with one from behind the arc.
“The 3-pointer felt good. I’m working on it and trying to get some more,” he said.
Darius Radoc-Factoran (two blocks, rebound) chipped in 14 points for the Riptide, with Idrees Elfarra adding nine points with six apiece for Dylan Peter and Euan Costales.
“I am proud of our guys’ effort,” River Islands coach Justin Graham said. “We had kind of a rough stretch over the holiday break where we felt we were in position to win some games but we didn’t. We had some heart-to-heart conversations, and since then, the guys have had the right process. They show up ready to practice every day, they compete every day and that translates into how they are showing up for every game and competing.
“Euan had a big 3-pointer for us in that third period. He doesn’t shoot very often, but when he does, he seems to make it, so I am thinking I have to get him the ball a little bit more.”
Karanbir Bhandal (steal, assist) scored 13 points for the Timberwolves, and Colby Veuve scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds.
There were two ties and three lead changes in the first half before Brayden McKenzie (five points) drained a 3-pointer for the Timberwolves (12-10) to start the second half and bring Sierra within a point shortly before the third-quarter Riptide blitz.
“They got hot and made some 3-pointers in that third quarter,” Sierra coach Jalen Bourbon said. “That was tough, and it was really what took it over for them.”
River Islands travels to Ben Holt College Prep on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday night at 7:30 the Timberwolves host Mountain House.
