Lathrop’s girls basketball team was shut out in the first quarter and could only manage three points in the third, but that ultimately did not matter Tuesday when it opened pool play in the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic at El Capitan High of Lakeside.

Sanah Sunner and the Spartans found their shooting stroke when needed, as they staved off Lincoln of San Diego, 35-30. They’ll continue play in the FIBA West Division tonight at 6 against Fallbrook of San Diego at El Cajon High.

Sunner paced Lathrop (7-4) with 19 points, making 10 of 12 free-throw attempts. In the fourth quarter, she knocked down all six of her shots from the foul line.

“We were just overexcited and jacking up shots left and right, not running any semblance of an offense,” Lathrop coach Dwayne Davis said of his team’s scoreless first quarter. “What got us going was that we got to the line. It was 9-0 at when we made our first free throw, and it took one to break the ice. They turned everything over to our pressure and we were able to get a few steals and easy baskets.

“We got a little flow going at the end of the first half, but in the second half we went back to how we were playing to start the game.”

Lathrop exploded for 17 points in the second period and was ahead 17-15 at halftime. Lincoln (1-6) outscored the Spartans 8-3 in the third quarter to retake the lead.

“In the fourth quarter, we applied more all-out pressure,” Davis said. “When we finally caught up it was 28-27 and we milked the game away at the free-throw line.”

Alaba Olaleye played a big part with her effort on the boards, grabbing 19 rebounds to go with her two points. Marianna Delgado contributed with seven points.

Damyja Anderson and Keana Smith led the Hornets with eight points apiece. Lathrop held point guard Demi Fowler, the team’s leading scorer for the season, to a single point.

Ripon 49, Beyer 39

The Indians (5-4) started on a 17-3 run and coasted to the winners bracket of the Tracy Breakfast Lions/Tom Hawkins Tournament at Tracy High. They’ll face Mt. Diablo (8-3) tonight starting at 6.

While only two players did all of the scoring for Beyer (2-7), Ripon had nine different contributors in the points column with Drew Peters’ 10 points leading the way.

Mackenzie Loechler netted eight points and four rebounds. Emily Sesser scored all six of her points in the first quarter and also finished with six rebounds and four assists. Shayla McKeon amassed six points and 10 boards.

Beyer’s Alana Dancer and Kylie Kulina poured in 20 and 19 points, respectively. Dancer, who was limited to four points in the first half, drained five 3-pointers.

East Union 62, Stagg 34

The Lancers (10-2) won handily in the first round of the Tracy Breakfast Lions/Tom Hawkins Tournament and will face Golden Valley (6-5) for a third time this season today at 3.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Stevenson 58, Ripon 56

Twenty-five turnovers doomed Ripon in the consolation final of the Argonaut Playoff Preview on Dec. 17

Argonaut Playoff Preview.

Landon Gillespie paced the Indians with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 4-of-7 on 3-point attempts. Ty Herrin added 11 points, four assists and two steals. Jack Schooland chipped in with seven points, six rebounds and two steals.

JV girls basketball

East Union 43, Pleasant Grove 30

Izzy Avalos scored 14 points in the Lancers non-league win on Dec. 19. Bellah Crabb had 12 points and six steals, while Caliyah Lopez tallied 11 points and seven steals.

Gregori 47, East Union 45

East Union fell short on Dec. 20 despite Crabb’s 20-point effort. Lopez contributed 11 points and six steals, and M.J. Simon pitched in seven points.

East Union 55, Beyer 8

The Lancers had their way against Beyer last Thursday.

Avalos paced them with 14 points, and Lopez accumulated 10 points and 11 steals. Simon added 19 points and five steals, and Crabb had eight and four.

JV boys basketball

Manteca 55, Bear Creek 32

The Buffaloes stampeded to an 11-1 lead and didn’t look back. They’ll play Lincoln in the Block M Tournament championship game tonight at 7.

Vincent Cardoza fired 15 points, Harp Mehrok had 10 and Tyler Watkins added nine.

Frosh boys basketball

Tracy 59, Manteca 56

Tracy outscored host Manteca 21-17 in the fourth quarter to reach the Block M Tournament title round.

Devon Richardson spearheaded the Buffs with 17 points. Jesus Gomez registered 12 points. Jhadis Luckey and Evan White pumped in eight each.