It’s two down, four more to go for Lathrop High’s boys basketball team.

One night after participating in a Sac-Joaquin Section Foundation game in Los Banos, the Spartans officially opened their season Tuesday with a 49-43 loss at Stagg. Their busy week continues tonight when they tip off the four-day Modesto City Classic against co-host Gregori starting at 8.

Lathrop showed signs of wear early on against Stagg, as it trailed 24-13 at halftime.

“(Monday) night had a little something do with it,” Lathrop coach Bill Slikker said. “After getting home past 11 the kids had to get up and go to school all day, so that didn’t help any. We played well in the second half, but we dug ourselves too big a hole and we’re not good enough to do that.”

Slikker added that the team made just 14 of 48 field-goal attempts.

Robert Orantes and Mikey  Pereznegron accounted for most of the scoring, as they posted 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Girls

Ripon 51, Manteca 46

Turnovers and an off night from the foul line did Manteca in during its Foundation Game contest at Ripon Monday.

Ruth Waters paced the victorious Indians with 13 points, and Tia Siditikun added 11. Mikayla Hasal poured in 17 for Manteca, while Jasmone Odell contributed 16.