Vincent Olmo went from big man on the bench to big man on campus.

Now, expectations will be high for the 6-foot-8, 250-pound center and the Ripon boys basketball team next season. With his size, improved skill and increased production, Olmo was an impactful presence on both ends of the court for the Trans-Valley League champion Indians. He’s the Manteca Bulletin All-Area MVP.

Last year, Olmo was a sophomore on a senior-laden squad spearheaded by the backcourt triumvirate of Noah Hernandez, Aaron Paschini and Cole Stevens. Ripon rolled to a 25-7 record, TVL championship, the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinals and CIF State Northern California Regional Championships appearance.

Eight seniors graduated from that team, and the 2017-18 campaign was supposed to be the start of a rebuilding process with three sophomore guards taking over key roles.

“It was a big transition,” Olmo said. “I went from a guy who sat a lot of the game to someone who played most of the game and had a big role. I was a sophomore on a senior-heavy team, so I was not much of a leader.

“But being a junior on a young team with very little seniors, I had to kind of step into a leadership role.”

Olmo averaged 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds his sophomore year. Those numbers jumped to 13.1 and 9.9 to go with 2.0 blocks per game this past winter. He also totaled 14 double-doubles.

In one of his most complete efforts of the season, he racked up 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in a 53-46 upset of then-reigning Valley Oak League champion Manteca in the challenging Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic. The Indians wound up winning the consolation title in the tournament, and it was the launching point for a 16-game winning streak.

“During the MC tournament we started gelling together,” Olmo said. “We were a pretty young team with a lot to look forward to, but that was when we realized that we could be something special and win a lot of games in league.”

Ripon ended up winning all of its league games, vanquishing the opposition by double-digit margins in the first half of the TVL schedule. The Indians anticipated more resistance from their rivals in the second half and got it.

Hughson, looking to avenge an embarrassing 76-38 loss, was the first to threaten Ripon’s torrid streak. The Indians prevailed 58-43 in overtime, and Olmo dominated for 21 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks.

“We knew they were going to give us their best game,” Olmo said. “At that point they were second in league. I came in there knowing I was bigger than them, I just had to stay strong and really focus on every part of the game, whether it be rebounding or passing to open teammates. And my teammates did a good job of finding me.”

Ripon Christian, the eventual SJS Division VI champion, gave the Indians all they could handle in the penultimate regular-season contest. Ripon climbed back from a double-digit deficit to win 56-55, and Olmo registered 15 points and 14 rebounds.  Unlike most TVL foes, the Knights had the size to match his size with 6-7 senior standout Andrew Vander Weide and 6-8 Jacob Vander Hoek — Olmo’s cousin.

Olmo recorded nine double-doubles in 12 TVL contests, and the Indians ran the table for another title. He was named the league’s MVP.

“It was an honor to be the MVP, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches,” he said. “I’m thankful for them.”

The season ended on a downer for Olmo and Ripon. In their league finale against Hilmar, a 65-45 victory, Olmo dislocated a knee cap when landing on the foot of Hilmar center Jonas Tate.

He tried to play through it eight days later when the seventh-seeded Indians were routed by No. 10 Calaveras 68-55 in the opening round of the SJS Division IV playoffs. Olmo did all he could, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

“I really tried to stick it out,” he said. “I wore a brace and the doctor told me I’d be alright, so I was confident I wasn’t going to reinjure it any further. I played through the pain aid everything we could to win the game. I was definitely slower and couldn’t run or jump as well. I couldn’t do a lot of the normal things I am able to do.”

Olmo no longer feels any pain on the knee and is working on regaining strength on it while playing for the baseball team. In the meantime, the sour end to the basketball season will be a source of motivation for Olmo moving forward.

“I see the people we have coming back on our team and how much we can grow,” Olmo said. “I just want to get my body right and continue to get better so I can help the team accomplish more in the long run.

“I think we can be undefeated league champs again, and a section championship is a realistic goal for us. I think we’ll be a very good team next year with the experience we have behind us.”