Ripon Christian’s boys basketball team began its Trans Valley League title defense Wednesday with a 69-56 win at Hilmar behind a triple-double effort from Amos Cady.

The Knights (7-8) weathered a hot start from Hilmar (10-6) and trailed 30-24 at halftime. They answered with a 16-2 run in the second half and a 27-point barrage in the third quarter.

Cady finished with 10 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and four steals. Ripon Christian totaled 13 3-pointers, getting five from Jake Vander Veen. He scored a game-high 21 points to go with five rebounds and four assists.

Josiah Van Vliet knocked down four 3s, netting 12 points and six rebounds. Chase Bunnell added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mason Tameling pitched in with 10 points.

Cohen Felber fired 17 points to lead Hilmar. Aaron Solario spearheaded the Yellowjackets’ fast start, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the first quarter.

Lathrop 76, Grace Davis 47

Nicolas Arceo made all seven of his shots, capping his perfect night with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Western Athletic Conference win at Lathrop (2-0, 9-6 overall).

Bryan Gamboa added 15 points and three assists. Justin Neal had 13 points, three assists and three steals.

Lathrop prevailed in the JV game, 66-20. The freshman squad also dominated, 37-9.

GIRLS SOCCER

Manteca 4, Mountain House 1

Center midfielder Makayla Spencer spearheaded a second-half charge that propelled the Buffaloes (2-0-1, 12-2-1 overall) to the Valley Oak League victory at Mountain House (1-3, 3-6).

The Mustangs tied the game early in the second half with a penalty kick that was awarded on a handball infraction. Spencer took over from there scoring the go-ahead goal, then assisting the insurance tallies from Kailee Jackson and Bianca Esparza.

Paisley Coenenberg put away Manteca’s first-half goal off an assist from Jackson.

Ripon 4, Hughson 0

The Indians (3-0-1, 12-4-1) dominated the TVL contest, outshooting host Hughson (0-1-1, 4-7-3), 32-2.

Four different players scored, and Ripon iced it with two goals in the final 10 minutes.

Allie Grusing and Alexis Zamora each registered a goal and an assist. Mia Hendryx and Alena Mallari scored the other two goals. Madelyn McKiernan and Addison Naranjo each had an assist.

Goalkeeper Bella Ochoa had one save in the Indians’ 10th shutout of the season.

Ripon Christian 3, Hilmar 0

Morgan Schenk racked up 14 saves and secured the TVL shutout for the host Knights (2-2, 7-6-1 overall).

The attack did well to spot their senior netminder with an early lead. They came out firing, getting off four shots in the opening two minutes.

Ripon Christian landed the first blow in the 13th minute, as Kylie Koolhaas finished a corner kick from Alyssa Hoffman.

Lauren Mouw played a part in the next two goals of he half. She first dished it to Brooke Barnes to double RC’s lead in the 16th minute and later scored on an assist from Alanna Blanco.