East Union’s girls basketball team didn’t get to officially defend its Valley Oak League title this season, but it was a success nonetheless.

The Lancers ended their 10-game sprint on Friday with a 64-43 win over Ripon Christian at Dalben Center. They finished 9-1 despite competing with one to three players on the bench for much of the campaign.

Coach Jim Agostini was just glad the Lancers got all of their games in, while several other indoor-sports teams in the area had some cancelled because of health and safety protocols. 

“We got through this season and proud of the girls for being diligent with the testing,” Agostini said. “We didn’t have to quarantine or anything like that. To be able to play 10 games is a tip of the hat to all the girls, and to go out shooting the ball well at home is a good way to finish.”

East Union made seven 3-pointers in the finale. The Lancers broke it open with a 16-4 third quarter after leading 32-23 at halftime.

Taylor Snaer and Lauren Pablo each scored 18 points and combined for five of those 3s. Senior guard Kyshanti King added 16 points and two 3s in her final contest. Giselle Velasquez pitched in 10 points.

Natasha Smith netted 15 points for Ripon Christian. Madelyn Yonker and Samantha Anema contributed 13 and 10, respectively. 

BOYS HOOPS

Weston Ranch 79, Manteca 71

The visiting Buffaloes (6-2 VOL, 8-5 overall) made it competitive after getting blown out by 30-plus the night before.

Nick Bell registered 26 points and nine rebounds in his last game for Manteca. Bobby Martin scored 11, while Trey Moreland and Taj Mehrok each had nine.

Mi’Son Coilton paced Weston Ranch (4-0, 4-1) with 27 points, Marshawn Smith had 17, Keyon Forbes 15 and Donjaé Lindsey nine.

Ripon 65, Escalon 64

Standout guard Malik Taylor hit the go-ahead free-throw in the closing seconds as the Indians (5-3 VOL, 6-3 overall) held on for the win.

Taylor, the reigning co-MVP of the Trans-Valley League, totaled 10 points and five rebounds. Ripon was anchored by 6-foot-8 center Bronson Burrow’s 20 points and nine rebounds. He shot 9-of-12 from the field. 

Brayden Haines racked up 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, making four 3s. Logan Gillespie added 11 points and four boards.

JV BOYS HOOPS

Manteca 58, Weston Ranch 47

Blake Goss poured in 16 points for the visiting Buffaloes. Elijah Nelson and Micah Crawford chimed in with nine and eight, respectively.

JV SOFTBALL 

Kimball 6, Ripon Christian 4

Teagan Chapman struck out 11 and gave up four hits over seven innings pitched for Ripon Christian. She was also 2 for 3 with a run from the plate. 

Kailee Alejandre, Taylor Postma and Emma DeBruyn each drove in a run.