Vanessah Ponce knocked down five 3-pointers including one in overtime, helping Ripon’s girls basketball team escape Tokay with a 48-45 victory in its season opener on Tuesday.
The Indians overcame 27 turnovers by hitting eight 3s overall and all four of their free throws. Ponce finished with 15 points, and Shayla McKeon dominated in the paint with eight points and 14 rebounds. All of McKeon’s points came in the fourth quarter and the extra period.
Kailee Inderbitzin had six points, four rebounds and three steals. Kaylee Lehmkuhl contributed five assists and three steals to go with her four points.
Thalia Chavez, Maya Dhaliwal and Karina Hernandez netted 10 points apiece for Tokay, which led 29-24 after three quarters.
Manteca 46, Lodi 44
Michailla Springs paced the visiting Buffaloes (2-0) with 17 points, and Izzy Sanchez sank two free throws with 4 seconds to go to seal the win. Lodi (1-1) ended the game with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Jade Ikharo added 10 points and seven rebounds for Manteca, which held on for the win after building a 42-29 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Taimane Tu’uga drilled a momentum-swinging 3-pointer earlier in the period, but she and Jaesha Dunn fouled out. The Flames took advantage, going on a 12-2 run.
“It’s not how we want to win but this team is learning their identity,” Manteca coach Oscar Calix said. “For a lot of our girls, this is their first time playing varsity basketball and it’s an adjustment but we’re getting there, and I’m proud of these ladies and their fight.”
BOYS BASKETBALL
Ripon 53, Sonora 43
The Indians didn’t wait long to get their first win for coach Dean Balcao, racing out to an early 22-4 lead in their season opener and finishing 22-of-24 from the free-throw line.
A 20-point outburst in the fourth quarter trimmed the deficit for the visiting Wildcats.
“We played a really good first quarter and only had one turnover,” Balcao said. “We also had 20 rebounds, so we were really rebounding well and playing good defense in the first half. In the fourth quarter, they picked up the pressure and pressed us. We turned the ball over and they hit a lot of 3s. Luckily, we hit our free throws.”
Dawson Downs posted 13 points and 10 rebounds for Ripon. Marcus Madoski added nine points and five boards. Jack Scholland and Logan Lefebvre pitched in eight points apiece.
Sonora’s Jonathan Curran led all scorers with 14 points.
GIRLS SOCCER
Ripon Christian 4, Stone Ridge Christian 0
Ripon Christian opened the season by avenging its Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI semifinal loss with a lopsided win in Merced.
Just three days after helping the volleyball team capture the Division III state title, Dayna Koolhaas and Alanna Blanco linked up for the first goal. Blanco was in on the assist in the 20th minute, and Addison DeJong doubled the lead 70 seconds later.
Shelby Terra and Blanco each put away a goal in the second half to pad the lead. Goalie Tara Heida recorded the shutout.
The Knights next travel to Calaveras on Nov. 28.
JV girls basketball
Ripon 31, Tokay 19
Anandjap Dhami poured in 12 points for the Indians, while Scarlett Ponce added nine.
JV girls soccer
Ripon Christian 5, River Islands 0
Lauren Mouw Tallied two goals and an assist for the Knights.
Ripon Christian’s Bella Blanco, Emma Van Groningen and Tessa Schooland each added a goal with an assist apiece for Schooland, Alyssa Hofman and Kate Van Groningen.
Frosh girls basketball
Ripon 25, Tokay 14
Harasses Hayer anchored Ripon on both ends of the court with 13 points and six blocks. Savannah Richardson chipped in with seven points.
