With point differential in play, Lathrop’s boys soccer team did not want to leave anything to chance.
Not with the program’s first Western Athletic Conference championship at stake.
The Spartans did what they had to do Tuesday in Modesto, thrashing Beyer, 13-0.
The tiebreaker was not needed after all, as second-place Pacheco — which finishes two points shy of Lathrop (10-3-1 WAC, 18-5-2 overall) — wound up tying Livingston on the road, 2-2.
“The boys were hungry,” Lathrop coach Alfredo Reynaga said. “We had to take care of business not knowing what the outcome of Livingston-Pacheco was going to be. Kudos to them, they took care of business. Everybody’s excited to have solidified the league title for the first time in Lathrop boys soccer history, and we’re still No. 1 in Division IV (for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs).”
The senior captains did their part in the regular-season finale.
Alan Hernandez and Andres Hurtado each scored a hat trick and handed out a pair of assists. Omar Rodriguez also had a goal, and defender Eduardo Torres anchored a sturdy back line that kept Beyer (1-13, 1-17) from threatening.
Adrian Montanez pitched in with two goals. Diego Alvarez, Carlos Santos and Julian Silva added one goal each. Alex Jauregui had an assist.
Lathrop also dominated the junior varsity game, 6-1.
Postseason brackets will be released today. The first round is set for Saturday.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lathrop 57, Central Valley 8
The Spartans (13-0, 27-0 overall) celebrated their second outright WAC title on senior night and marked the occasion by cutting down the nets. It’s the fourth overall league title for Lathrop, which shared it twice while in the Valley Oak League.
Fourth-year varsity player Shakara Porter, who was part of the 2023 championship team, contributed eight points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in the regular-season home finale. The Spartans rolled to a 24-3 lead and shut out Central Valley (1-12, 4-21) in the second period.
Breanna Wiseman led all scorers with 12 points to go with eight rebounds. Jaleiyah Ray added eight points. Jaylah Seabron chipped in seven points, four assists and three steals.
Lathrop wraps up conference play Thursday at Beyer.
East Union 71, Oakdale 35
The Lancers (10-1, 22-5 overall) remain in step with Central Catholic as co-leaders in the Valley Oak League with one game remaining.
Zyondupree Beasley helped them set the tone at Oakdale (2-9, 12-15), accounting for 12 of their 24 points in the first quarter. They led comfortably 37-18 at halftime. Beasley finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Ava Barrera contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. Shebra Rezaye chipped in 13 points. Julianna Gaspar added two 3s to East Union’s first-quarter barrage and ended with eight points.
Avery Gleason paced Oakdale with 16 points.
Escalon 56, Ripon 33
Trans Valley League champion Escalon (11-0, 22-5 overall) outscored the visiting Indians (5-6, 12-15) 15-2 in the second quarter to gain early separation.
Cougars standout Arianna Velasco led all scorers with 29 points, which include four 3s. Scarlett Ponce tallied 10 points for Ripon. Itxel Reynoso and Anandjap Dhami scored six apiece.
JV girls basketball
East Union 47, Oakdale 20
Ten of 11 Lancers contributed with points. Camille Christensen led the, with 18 points. Lilyan Frye fired seven points, while Valeria Escamilla and Jissele Tuggles had six apiece.
Lathrop 58, Central Valley 19
The Spartans improved to 24-0 with another dominant effort in which they collected 24 steals.
Sariah Hilton amassed 16 points, nine rebounds, eight steals and three blocks. Zoha Ali added 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Brianna Valencia pitched in eight points, three rebounds and four steals.
Frosh girls basketball
Lathrop 64, Central Valley 4
Ryleigh Race led a balanced effort with 12 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Ariyana Miller contributed 10 points and five steals.
Alexia Garcia chimed in with nine points, seven boards and three steals. Kayden Davis added four points and six steals.
