Ripon Christian’s boys basketball team, as currently constituted, is being forced to grow up in a hurry.

The Knights are starting the season at Riverbank’s Ron Peterson Tip-Off Tournament with an eight-man roster featuring five underclassmen. On Thursday, they outlasted Summerville in the opening round 69-67 in overtime.

Ripon Christian did well to build a 50-34 lead after three quarters but crumbled down the stretch. Summerville roared back with a 25-point outburst in the fourth, forcing the extra period. The Bears had a shot to at least tie it at the end but were off the mark.

Junior guard Luke Crivello led RC with 22 points, hitting five 3s in the process. Freshman Amos Cady contributed 19, and Justin Hofman — one of two rostered seniors —pitched in with 11.

The team’s core of veterans from the 2021-22 Trans-Valley League championship team is still football mode and preparing for the California Interscholastic Federation Division V-AA Northern Regional Bowl Game.

The hoops squad plays Patterson in the winners-brackets semifinals tonight.

Beyer 66, East Union 53

The Lancers (3-1) suffered their first defeat of the season despite getting 24 points from Anthony Sy and 20 from Dylan Lee in the Modesto City Classic contest.

East Union looks to bounce back today against Modesto at 4:30.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

East Union 64, Mateo 38

The Lancers started each half strong to break it open in their Golden Valley Tournament opener.

They outscored San Mateo 18-6 in the first quarter and widened the gap with a 25-9 outburst in the third.

Taylor Snaer (2-0) set the tone on both ends and finished with 19 points. Nylah Dyson tallied 11 points, while fellow freshman Ava Barrera and Mariela Navarro scored 10 apiece.

Katie Hong netted 17 points for the Bearcats (0-2). East Union faces the Golden Valley-Beyer winner today.

Turlock 43, Ripon 29

Ripon (2-1) could not get untracked offensively in its Golden Valley Tournament tilt.

The Indians trailed 11-10 after the first period but were held to single digits in the next three. Turlock (1-3) outscored them 26-12 in the second half.

Mackenzie Loechler collected eight points and five rebounds for Ripon. Gabby Delgado added seven points and six boards. Turlock’s Emilie Snyder led all scorers with 13 points.

Ripon plays Merced in the consolation semifinal today.