Josiah Van Vliet hit two clutch 3s in a row for his only points on Friday, helping Ripon Christian escape Sonora’s Bud Castle Gym with a 63-61 win and sole possession of first place in the Trans Valley League.

Ripon Christian totaled nine made 3-pointers. Chase Bunnell hit two from long range, ending with a team-high 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Amos Cady made three 3s and racked up 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Jake Vander Veen also scored 14 points to go with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Mason Tameling chimed in with eight points, two 3s, four rebounds and three assists.

The reigning league champion Knights (6-0, 12-9 overall) dominated much of the first half and led 43-27 in the middle of the third quarter before Sonora (5-1, 9-12) made things interesting.

Led by Eli Engalls and Rigo Estrella in the post, the Wildcats roared back to take a 53-52 lead with 4:40 remaining.

Engalls paced Sonora with 18 points, while draining eight of nine free throws in the second half. Estrella scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half. Steven Morfoot added 13 points.

Hilmar 46, Ripon 39

Leading by four points after three quarters, the host Indians (1-5 TVL, 6-16 overall) were outscored 16-5 in the fourth, as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.

Riley Quintero came alive in the final period for Hilmar (1-5, 6-16), scoring eight of his 10 points. Aaron Solorio led the Yellowjackets with 11 points.

Andrew Shaw made four 3s on his way to scoring 14 points for Ripon. Sam Stewart added eight points and hit two 3s.

GIRLS SOCCER

Ripon 4, Hilmar 0

The Indians (6-1-1, 15-5-1 overall) picked up an important road win to take over sole possession of first place in the TVL.

Danielle Rey buried two penalty kicks and finished with a hat trick. Mia Hendryx scored the first goal of the game in the third minute. Rey put away the first of her three just four minutes later.

Goalkeeper Giuliana Locarnini tallied three saves, as Ripon had a 20-13 edge on shot attempts. Hilmar (5-2-1, 13-6-2) was shown four red cards.

Sonora 2, Ripon Christian 1

The visiting Wildcats (4-2-2 TVL, 4-7-3 overall) came up with the winning goal on a header in the 76th minute, ending a six-game winning streak for Ripon Christian (5-3, 10-7-1).

Alana Blanco scored the Knights’ goal late in the first half. Ripon Christian outshot Sonora, 23-16.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hilmar 44, Ripon 26

The Indians (3-3 TVL, 10-12 overall) had trouble getting untracked offensively, as Hilmar (3-3, 13-5) cruised to the home win.

Emma Gomes poured in 21 points for the Yellowjackets. Ripon got seven points apiece from Scarlett Ponce and Itxel Reynoso.