Ripon Christian’s boys’ basketball team defended its home court for the first time this season on Friday, and defense was the name of this non-league game against Turlock.
The Knights didn’t allow a point in the opening quarter before fending off a comeback charge and prevailing 55-47 for their fifth straight victory. Ripon Christian (9-3) carried a 10-0 lead into the second quarter and widened the gap to as much as 15 in third, 30-15. Turlock (6-9) did not go away quietly, as it closed it to 48-46 down the stretch.
Jacob Van Groningen helped secure the win by making 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter. He finished with a game-high 22 points.
“The whole game our half-court defense was pretty good,” Ripon Christian coach Mark Hofman said. “It all starts with Will Gilbert, who always guards the best perimeter player and he held their point guard, Cameron Walker, to no points in the first half.
“Both teams struggled on offense tonight, but Turlock is a good team and they went on run.”
Gilbert contributed 12 points, and Braden Van Groningen had nine. Solomon Ussery, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound center, led Turlock with 10 points. Anthony Mendoza and Walker added eight apiece for the Bulldogs.

Lathrop 69, Ceres 57
CERES — Lathrop (9-6) opened Western Athletic Conference play by allowing just four points in the first quarter.
The Spartans were up 12-4 heading into the second period and kept Ceres (6-8) at bay from there. They were paced by Walton Whaley’s 15 points, all coming in the second half. His brother Daniel Whaley drained two 3s in the first period and finished with 10 points.
Eddie Cotton added 13 points to the balanced effort, while Taurus Kohn had 11 and CJ Ward 10.
Shimon Malakhi pumped in 10 of his team-high 12 points in the fourth quarter for Ceres.

GIRLS SOCCER
Ripon 12, Linden 1
LINDEN — Reeling from a 5-1 loss to Manteca earlier in the week, the Indians (7-2) made sure they were more efficient with their shots in their non-league match Friday.
“We worked real hard this week on keeping shots on frame and tonight it paid off,” Ripon coach Bryce Perkins said. “I don’t’ know if they’re that bad of a team, I just think we just hit on all cylinders tonight. We put that Manteca game behind us.”
That was apparent in the opening minute when Hailey Peterson set a new program record for fastest goal scored in a game, as she finished off a cross from Ariana Scholten 30 seconds in.
Aubree Pelon led the barrage with a hat trick, while Maddie Winter and Scholten each had two goals and two assists. Devaney Dougherty also scored twice, while Peterson contributed an assist to go with her first-minute tally.
Ariana Daniels chipped in a goal, and Kailey Tijero netted one with a head shot. Linden (4-4) was able to sneak in a goal in the final minute but was outshot, 40-3.
Ripon kicks off Trans-Valley League play next Tuesday against visiting Escalon.

Sierra 7, West 1
TRACY — Jocelin Roa tallied three goals as Sierra (11-1) dominated its final non-league match of the season. The Timberwolves return to Valley Oak League action next Wednesday at unbeaten rival Manteca.
Tiana Cello pitched in with two goals and one assist, and Jenna Villanueva had one goal and two assists. Nicole Martin added one of each. Preeya Singh and Zoe Wilson both had an assist.

JV girls soccer
Ripon 10, Linden 0
Natalie Johnson and Teagan Rosales each recorded a hat trick.