RIPON — Thursday might have been senior night for the Ripon High girls basketball team, but it was a sophomore guard who came in off the bench and made the biggest impact in the Indians’ last Trans Valley League game.
Ripon downed the visiting Orestimba Tigers 53-24 to cap off the regular season.
Ruth Waters, who usually starts for the Indians, came into the game and relied on her ball-handling and shooting skills to rack up a team-high 17 points. Nine of those points came from a trio of 3-point shots that she nailed when the Tigers gave her time to set up outside.
She also had three rebounds and an assist.
“They left her open and she was able to get to the hoop,” Ripon head coach George Contente said. “She was able to hit some shots tonight that really helped us build our lead.”
By altering his line-up to include all seniors, Ripon (10-2, 21-5 overall) was slightly off key at the start of the game and unable to jump out to the quick leads that have been their signature all season. Midway through the first quarter, Ripon only had a 6-2 lead.
But with 17 points scored against Orestimba (4-8, 11-13) in the second quarter and 20 points scored in the third, the Indians showed that they were still the prolific team they’ve been all season as they gear up for the Sac-Joaquin Division IV playoffs next week.
“We opened up with a different rotation because it was senior night, and whenever you have that the girls tend to play a little bit excited,” Contente said. “They finally got settled in, but I think we were just a little bit too hyped up. We missed a lot of shots tonight, and hopefully that’s something we can overcome when we get into the playoffs next week.”
Senior Rachel Rodriguez worked hard from the post to finish the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and senior Kendra Contente rounded out Ripon’s leading scorers with 11 points.
Orestimba’s Akayla Ayres finished with seven points – all scored in the third quarter.
Ripon’s playoff opponent has yet to be named, but the playoffs start on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and Contente feels good that his 21-win team will secure a home bid for the opening round.
“I don’t think that I could ask for a harder working group of kids, and I think you can see the proof of that in their record,” he said. “Putting ourselves in this position is what we’ve wanted all year, and with this being the last game of the regular season, it’s kind of an emotional game. I think that we’re playing well together right now, and that’s important when you’re talking about the playoffs.”
Morgan Alger led Ripon Christian (11-3, 19-6) in scoring with 16 points, while Teagan Manus had 10 points and Katie Thomas finished with nine against the Redskins (3-11, 5-19).
Mikaela Alger pulled down 16 rebounds, while Kaylie Colyn and Manus both chipped in six assists apiece.
Ripon downed the visiting Orestimba Tigers 53-24 to cap off the regular season.
Ruth Waters, who usually starts for the Indians, came into the game and relied on her ball-handling and shooting skills to rack up a team-high 17 points. Nine of those points came from a trio of 3-point shots that she nailed when the Tigers gave her time to set up outside.
She also had three rebounds and an assist.
“They left her open and she was able to get to the hoop,” Ripon head coach George Contente said. “She was able to hit some shots tonight that really helped us build our lead.”
By altering his line-up to include all seniors, Ripon (10-2, 21-5 overall) was slightly off key at the start of the game and unable to jump out to the quick leads that have been their signature all season. Midway through the first quarter, Ripon only had a 6-2 lead.
But with 17 points scored against Orestimba (4-8, 11-13) in the second quarter and 20 points scored in the third, the Indians showed that they were still the prolific team they’ve been all season as they gear up for the Sac-Joaquin Division IV playoffs next week.
“We opened up with a different rotation because it was senior night, and whenever you have that the girls tend to play a little bit excited,” Contente said. “They finally got settled in, but I think we were just a little bit too hyped up. We missed a lot of shots tonight, and hopefully that’s something we can overcome when we get into the playoffs next week.”
Senior Rachel Rodriguez worked hard from the post to finish the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and senior Kendra Contente rounded out Ripon’s leading scorers with 11 points.
Orestimba’s Akayla Ayres finished with seven points – all scored in the third quarter.
Ripon’s playoff opponent has yet to be named, but the playoffs start on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and Contente feels good that his 21-win team will secure a home bid for the opening round.
“I don’t think that I could ask for a harder working group of kids, and I think you can see the proof of that in their record,” he said. “Putting ourselves in this position is what we’ve wanted all year, and with this being the last game of the regular season, it’s kind of an emotional game. I think that we’re playing well together right now, and that’s important when you’re talking about the playoffs.”
Southern League
Ripon Christian 61, Gustine 29
The 10-0 first quarter was a sign that the Knights weren’t going to have any trouble dispatching the visiting Gustine Redskins.Ripon Christian 61, Gustine 29
Morgan Alger led Ripon Christian (11-3, 19-6) in scoring with 16 points, while Teagan Manus had 10 points and Katie Thomas finished with nine against the Redskins (3-11, 5-19).
Mikaela Alger pulled down 16 rebounds, while Kaylie Colyn and Manus both chipped in six assists apiece.
