LIVINGSTON — Ripon High and Livingston now share the top spot in the Trans-Valley League girls basketball standings.
The Indians fell to the host Wolves on Tuesday, 49-44.
“Livingston started the game off with an 11-2 first quarter (run) but we worked our way back in it,” said Ripon coach Rick Inderbitzin. “We would make a run and then (the Wolves) would make a run – that’s what happens when two good teams square off for first place.”
The Indians (6-1 TVL, 15-7 overall) did battle back but missed some opportunities including layups and a few free throws in key situations.
“I thought we were a step slow on a few balls and they wanted it a little more,” Inderbitzin said.
He added: “I’m glad we battled back and did not quit. We are still in the hunt for a championship and this (loss) might motivate us a little more – the Wolves are a good team so going in we knew it was going to be a tough one at their place.”
Livingston (6-1, 17-5) relied on balanced scoring from the likes of Alizabeth Huerta (9), Carolina Aguilar (9) and Breanna Espinoza (8).
Reina Sausedo of Ripon led all scorers with 16 points. Mikayla Vaught added nine.

Manteca 66, Oakdale 57
The Buffaloes kept pace with the Valley Oak League leaders with their win over the Mustangs.
Senior guard Jayda Jackson paced Manteca (6-2 VOL, 16-6 overall) by scoring 20 points with eight rebounds. Marissa Serrano chipped in with 15 points and five boards while junior point guard Kyaira Jacobs came through with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Buffaloes are third place in league, staying comfortably ahead of fourth-place Oakdale (2-6 VOL, 14-9).

Lathrop 39, Pacheco 14
LOS BANOS — Kierstin Constantino poured in a game-high 17 points, and the Spartans (6-3, 9-12) rolled to a 25-4 halftime lead in the one-sided Western Athletic Conference clash.

BOYS SOCCER
Weston Ranch 3, Manteca 2
Elvin Bolanos completed his hat trick in the 62nd minute, which also represented the go-ahead goal that keeps the Cougars (6-1-1, 8-1-5) well positioned in the hunt for the VOL title.
They also clinched one of the four postseason spots in league.
“He did a great job tonight of finishing,” Weston Ranch coach Francisco Cisneros said of Bolanos. “Throughout the season he had been struggling with that final finish with 1-v-1 opportunities against the keeper, but tonight he picked the perfect time to put it all together.”
Kevin Hernandez and Armando Garcia assisted his two goals in the first half. Manteca (2-7, 4-10) came back to tie it with two unanswered goals. Weston Ranch goalkeeper Francisco Vega had three saves.

GIRLS SOCCER
Ripon Christian 5, Delhi 0
DELHI — The Knights maintain the top spot in the Southern League thanks to their shutout victory at Delhi on Tuesday.
Ripon Christian (8-0-1 SL, 11-4-2) overcame a slow start during the first 15 minutes of the game before Elle Van Wyngarden and Rachel Oosterman combined for five goals in the next 40 minutes.
Four different players had assists on those goals, including Rylie Nunes, Olivia Van Vliet, Adriana Arias and Van Wyngarden.
“It was a full defensive effort that helped earn the shutout for Nicole Chapman,” said RC coach Kevin Tameling of his goalie Chapman, who had four saves against Delhi (0-6 SL, 0-9).

Ripon 3, Escalon 0
ESCALON — Ashley Pugh fought through an illness and collected 10 saves as the Indians (6-0, 14-3-1) maintain their comfortable spot atop the TVL standings.
“She just knocked down everything and probably had her best game of the year,” Ripon coach Bryce Perkins said.
Maddie Winter’s headed goal off a through ball from Kailey Tijero gave Ripon a 1-0 halftime lead. The Indians had a 15-4 shot advantage in the first half.
They were able to get the needed insurance in the second half as Escalon (2-4, 6-10-2) began to find traction. Ariana Scholten doubled the cushion with her one-touch attempt set up by Devaney Dougherty. Ariana Daniels applied the back-breaker in the 77th minute, getting the pass from Aubree Pelon.

GIRLS WRESTLING
Mountain House 30, Lathrop 24
Four forfeits sunk host Lathrop in the Western Athletic Conference defeat.
Tammy Pham (111pounds), Janida Garcia (121) and Alexis Murray (131) all won by fall for the Spartans.

BOYS WRESTLING
Mountain House 43, Lathrop 36
Jose Soto (120), Jerahmel Tillman (132) and Carlos Ramirez (195) posted wins by fall for the Spartans. 

JV girls hoops
Lathrop 50, Pacheco 39
LOS BANOS – Desiree Ambatali hit for 11 and Simratpreet Khera netted 10 to pace the Spartans in their win at Pacheco.
Lathrop got added balanced scoring from Jayna Dizon, who hit for nine, and Lyllianna Avila contributing with seven.
Egypt Jenkins and Sebrina Gedde, in addition, came through with six points each.

Frosh girls hoops
Pacheco 48, Lathrop 28
Renaissance Thierry led the Spartans with 10 points, Celeste Narvaez had six and Taimane Lowery five.

JV girls soccer
Ripon 5, Escalon 0
Natalie Johnson struck for two goals, while Makenna Pokorny, Teagan Rosales and Kendra Carlson had one apiece.