Was Manteca High’s boys basketball showdown with visiting Lincoln on Thursday a display of awesome offense or dreadful defense?
Manteca coach Brett Lewis was just glad to come away with the win. Jordan Burciaga led seven Buffaloes in double figures in the fast-paced 114-102 victory.
“We knew it was going to happen,” Lewis said. “Lincoln will give up layups for 3s. We gave up way more points than we wanted, and we were trying to slow it down.”
With good reason.
The Trojans (1-2) of Stockton jack up around 40 3-point attempts per game, and if they don’t hit the century mark their opponent does. With their break-neck style of play, no lead is safe, as Manteca (3-0) learned.
Spencer Briscoe hit four of his six 3s in the first quarter to help Manteca stake a 25-point lead at one point in the opening half. Lincoln knocked down five treys in the third period and cut the lead to single digits before the Buffs recaptured control.
Manteca was ahead 61-45 at halftime.
Burciaga pulled down 11 rebounds to go with his game-high 22 points. Briscoe added 20 points, and Jorge Cedano accumulated 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Miguel Sequeira (15 points), Rashawn Ballard (10 points), Nick Bell (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Dylan Gross (10 points) also got theirs.
George Papadopulos and D.J. Balanon each scored 17 points for Lincoln.
“Jordan doesn’t get tired but there were times he was begging to come out,” Lewis said. “I tried to sub as much as possible but we’d go long stretches without a dead ball and I only have so many timeouts. Our guys persevered and showed how mentally tough they can be. The fans got their price of admission, for sure.”
Manteca hosts Gregori next Wednesday.

Ripon Christian 65, Hughes Academy 58
RIVERBANK — The Knights (1-1) rode the hot hands of sophomores Will Gilbert and Lukas Van Groningen, who each drilled five 3-pointers in the Ron Peterson Tip-Off Tournament opener.
Gilbert totaled 23 points, and Van Groningen chipped in 19. Nasir Zarif pumped in 20 to pace the Titans from Stockton.
Ripon Christian faces Calaveras in the semifinals today at 3:30 p.m.

Downey 69, East Union 66
MODESTO — Downey held off the Lancers (2-1) for the win in the Modesto City Classic.
East Union erupted for 25 points in the second period to tie it at 35-35 by halftime. Christian Cuevas fired 20 points, Asiah Scott had 15 and Parm Khattra 14. The Lancers face tourney host Grace Davis tonight at 6:30.

GIRLS HOOPS
Ripon Christian 49, Summerville 46
ESCALON — It once again came down to a last-second shot for Ripon Christian (1-1) in the R, and Sarah Brown buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the win in the Pete Arellano Memorial Tournament.
Morgan Van Elderen led the way with 20 points, and Rilee Clark finished with 14. The Knights play for the consolation championship today.

GIRLS SOCCER
East Union 0, Tracy 0
TRACY — This nonleague defensive struggle ended early after the lights went out at Tracy’s Wayne Schneider Stadium.
“It was a heck of a game,” East Union coach Carlos Gaspar said. “We had our opportunities and so did they. That’s a very good team.”
Malia Allen came up with five keeper saves, and Kylie Mendez contributed two.