Sierra’s sophomore captain Kayla Wilson led the way with 13 points during Saturday’s preseason contest on the road against Riverbank.

The Timberwolves (6-3) trailed by 10 heading into the fourth quarter and pulled within three with three minutes remaining but eventually came up short, 41-34.

“People were forced to play out of position due to illness and missed practices and it hurt (us) offensively,” Sierra head coach Martha Spivey said. “We had them right where we wanted them, but missed a lot of open opportunities and couldn’t pull out the win (Saturday).”

The Timberwolves were doomed by poor free-throw shooting, going 7 of 21 overall and missing eight charity shots in the fourth quarter alone.

Sierra’s senior captain Celine Barber chipped in seven for Sierra, who will compete at the Pitman Tournament in Turlock Thursday.

Riverbank (7-1) was led by Olivia Luu (13 points) and Janelle Luu (14 points) and Lilly Garcia (eight).

Vacaville 84, Ripon 54

The Indians (4-3) finished in fourth place at the Liberty Ranch Lady Hawks Tournament and set up for a nonleague matchup with Elk Grove on the road tonight at 7 p.m.

Ripon, which was led by senior Morgan Carrico’s 20 points, was shorthanded against Vacaville (5-2) and couldn’t keep up down the stretch. Carrico was the only player to make the All-Tournament team from the Indians, who only had six players and five injured.

Ripon trailed by nine at the half, but were outscored 44-26 over the final two quarters.

“They pressed us all the time,” Ripon head coach George Contente said. “They played with 15 and rotated five in at a time at about a minute at a time. Our kids were hanging in there, but we were so tired and didn’t have any subs.”

Ellie Waters finished with 10 points and seniors Abby Waters (four) and Julia Victor (five) combined for nine. Jill Jamero tallied nine and Mel Ulrich six.

SOPHOMORE

Ripon Chr. 33,
Linden 25

The Knights took third at the Golden Valley Tournament after being led by Jessica Van Vliet’s 10 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Lauren De Vres chipped in seven and hauled in six boards, while Julia Ray scored five and pulled in 12 boards. Freshman Abby Buitrago contributed on defense with eight steals.