By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Sophomores lead Ripon to season-opening win
Placeholder Image

It didn’t take long for sophomores Kelsey Alexander and Morgan Carrico to make an impact in their first varsity season for Ripon High’s girls basketball team.

Alexander pumped in 16 points from the post, while Carrico added 11 in Ripon’s 46-36 season-opening win at Tracy High Tuesday.

Point guard Ruth Waters and forward Tia Sidtikun, who both played as sophomores last year, chipped in eight and five points, respectively.

The Indians led for more of the contest and ramped up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter for an 18-point outburst.

“It was a very physical game,” Ripon coach George Contente said. “There were a lot of foul calls that went both ways, but nobody fouled out. Being so young at the varsity level, it was a big step for us to persevere through that.”

It’s a busy week for Ripon, which tipped off the season with a Foundation Game at Manteca High. Next is Sierra on the road Thursday and Lathrop at home Friday.



Ceres 35, Lathrop 20


In Ceres, the Spartans shot 7-for-20 from the free-throw line and struggled even more from the field as they scored in single digits in every quarter.

Third-year junior Bryce Ford led Ceres with 21 points and scored 13 of the Bulldogs’ 16 in the fourth quarter. Lathrop was still in the game going in the final period trailing 19-12. The Spartans clamped down in the third and allowed only two points but scored only four of their own.

Lathrop’s top player, Jazlyn Simon, fouled out in the fourth, as did sophomore post Loreal Taylor. Celina DeSantis and Erica Sanchez scored five points each to lead the team.

“We played good enough defense, we just missed too many open shots,” Lathrop coach Ed Fang said.



Sophomore

Lathrop 43, Ceres 19


The Spartans (1-0) dominated on the defensive end and got 13 points from Taylor Conley and 11 more from Akilah Lesley.

Guards Jenessa Alejandro and Briana Fernandez contributed six apiece.