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Weston Ranch outlasts Bruins for first win of season
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STOCKTON – The Weston Ranch Cougars held a slim four-point halftime lead and the team would not relinquish its grip while outlasting a visiting Bear Creek High squad 37-35 for a season opening win.

Timnesha Wilson led all scorers with a 10 point evening, while teammate Courtney Duran chipped in nine. The Cougars didn’t, by any means, turn in a flawless performance, but the team’s effort was good enough for the win.

“Bear Creek really helped us by not making free throws and turning the ball over,” Weston Ranch head coach Chris Bauer said. “We were able to put a lot of pressure on the ball and they had a hard time with it.

“We forced them into a lot of turnovers in the backcourt.”

Opening up the season with a victory will likely build the Cougars’ confidence, giving a team with solid aspirations something to build on in the immediate future. Weston Ranch will not lean on one particular player like in seasons past, now the squad will need to depend on one another.

“There was not any one person that really stood out,” Bauer said. “I have 13 kids on the team and 11 of them saw the court. This was a good team effort all the way around, so I can’t complain.

Orestimba 39, Ripon Chrisitan 33
The Knights squandered a 23-18 halftime lead, getting outscored 21-10 in the second half. The squad is adjusting to some new look after acquiring players with extended fall sports commitments.

“As a team we were able to do some positive things,” Ripon Christian head coach Kirk Tillema said. “For only practicing as a whole team one time before our first game.”

Kelsey Tillema paced the team with a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 12 boards before fouling out late in the fourth period. Mikaela Alger had nine points for the Knights, while teammates Reann DeRousse and Kathryn Van Groningen had six and four points, respectively.

BOYS
Vista del Lago 75, Weston Ranch 35
The Weston Ranch Cougars were unable to keep pace over the final two periods, cutting a huge Vista del Lago lead to 12 before a complete second half collapse.

“Every time we were able to make a run,” Weston Racnh head coach Ryan Bono said. “Turnovers and offensive rebounds would kill us. If we were able to cut it down, they were just able to pull away again.”

CharRay Poole led the Cougars with a 14 point effort.

The Cougars (0-2) will try and get back on the right track before heading to Rodriguez High Dec. 11 to continue the season.

Sophomore
East Union 45, Ripon Christian 38
The Lancers took full advantage of their Foundation Game action, beating the visiting Ripon Christian Knights by seven points at the Dalben Center.

Brandon Cline led the team with 12 points, while teammates Brock Swift and Wayne Cheung chipped in 10 and eight, respectively.

Vista Del Lago 55, Weston Ranch 33
The Cougars were unable to match host Vista Del Lago down the stretch, falling to the Folsom squad by 22 Tuesday.

Dillon Alexander turned in a positive performance with 22 points, while teammate Daniel Nelson closed out the contests with eight. The Cougars will try and get in the win column when they travel to Lodi to participate in the Tokay Tournament beginning Dec. 11.

Freshman
East Union 33, Ripon Christian 31
The Lancers were able to hold off the visiting Ripon Christian Knights by closing out the game on a 10-5 run, giving the team its first win of the young season.

Justin Nieto led all scorers with an 11-point effort.

Vista Del Lago 50, Weston Ranch 32
The Cougars slipped to 0-2 with a one-sided loss to Vista Del Lago Tuesday. Marcell Otero led the Cougars with seven points, while Lucky Tengo, Sean Visperas and Leonard Lockett all chipped in six points apiece.