STOCKTON — The Sierra boys basketball team fended off a late charge from Clovis to win 69-63 in the opening round of the McDonald’s Classic at Edison High.
The Timberwolves (1-2) were ahead 48-38 after three quarters before Clovis (2-1) busted out for 27 points down the stretch.
Jaedon Malone produced 22 points and 10 rebounds for Sierra, and coach Scott Thomason lauded the efforts of veteran point guard Jaime Ochoa.
“Jaime Ochoa did an outstanding job being a quarterback, getting his team involved and running our offense,” Thomason said. “It was a good, hard-fought win.”
Sierra takes on tourney-host Edison (2-3) tonight at 8.
Beyer 84, Manteca 69
MODESTO — Michael Ballard drained five 3-pointers for the majority of his game-high 27 points for the shorthanded Buffaloes, who are minus three starters still playing on the football team.
Sophomore call-up Jordan Burciaga made his varsity debut, contributing 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kyle Bolding also had 13 points, while Sal Safi added eight while providing Manteca (0-2) a spark with his hustle.
Beyer (3-2) broke it open with a 34-7 third-quarter burst and was paced by Ben Polack’s 22 points.
Liberty Ranch 86,
Lathrop 61
GALT — Gul Castuera pumped in a team-high 24 points for Lathrop (1-5).
Colin Weis and Dan Ballesteros contributed 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Sophomore boys
Manteca 57, Beyer 53
MODESTO — Rashawn Ballard fired 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help Manteca (2-0) gain separation.
Freshman boys
Manteca 38, Beyer 37
MODESTO — The Bufflaoes (1-1) held on for the win behind 14 points from Lorenzo Ceja. Krys Charles aided the winning cause with eight.