Even with a few new faces and only two available substitutes, expectations remain the same for Ripon Christian.

The two-time defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champion started its season Tuesday with a commanding 53-28 win over visiting Sierra.

“Our expectation is to win the whole thing,” RC junior guard Jake Vander Veen said. “Last year, we did it easily. I feel like we got screwed out of the state championship run by getting moved up two divisions. This year, we want to make it happen.”

Chase Bunnell and Vander Veen led the Knights with 16 points apiece, while 6-foot-5 E.J. Bruno and 6-9 Walker Postma stifled the Timberwolves (0-2) on the defensive end.

Colby Veuve scored all of his team-high 12 points in the second half for Sierra. He also had six rebounds and two blocks despite the size disadvantage in the post.

Both teams started sloppy, and Sierra took its final lead of the game 36 seconds into the second quarter when Julian Ruiz went coast-to-coast after a defensive rebound to make it 11-10.

Those were the Timberwolves’ final points of the half, as Ripon Christian surged to a 25-11 halftime lead and went on an 18-0 run that carried over into the third period.

Sierra ended the drought with 6:13 left in the third quarter when Braydon McKenzie drained a jump shot from the middle of the key.

“I think we picked up our defensive intensity,” RC coach Mark Hofman said. “And your offense is connected to your defense. We started scoring on assists, and when you play well on offense it feeds into your defensive energy.”

Postma only had two points but racked up nine rebounds and seven blocks. Bruno finished with five points and 11 boards. Vander Veen contributed on the glass with nine rebounds.

The return of Postma to the program has been welcomed after Ripon Christian lost 6-9 center and Trans-Valley League MVP Jace Beidelman to graduation. Postma had previously played at the lower levels but was not part of the championship squad a year ago.

“To go from one 6-9 guy to another is great,” Vander Veen said. “It makes our job on defense so much easier knowing that he’s back there as the last line of defense, and he’s getting better and better.”

Ripon Christian is rolling with a seven-man lineup, for now. Some backcourt depth is coming when junior guard Maxx Anderson finishes his sit-out period after transferring from Oakdale, and Hofman said a few sophomores may be brought up, as needed.

“We just told the guys, ‘You have to be in great shape,’” Hofman said.

Sierra also has a newcomer in junior guard Romero Callender, who arrived from Modesto Christian. Coach Eddie Morales said additional help is on the way with a few key players out with injuries. The Timberwolves will miss 6-6 junior A.J. Chapman for the season, as he recovers from a collarbone injury suffered during the football playoffs.

“We have a young group. They’re not playing with confidence, so we have to be better at that,” Sierra coach Eddie Morales said. “We’re not finishing (shots) inside or outside right now, so it’s kind of tough. But I think we’re battling and getting a little better.

“Just young guys, man. A lot of them have never played a varsity game. We lost 90% of scoring from last year, so it’s a different dynamic.”

Sophomore

Sierra 50, Ripon Christian 49

Drew Zuidervaart hit a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 10 seconds left to give Ripon Christian a one-point advantage, but Sierra quickly answered with a buzzer-beating layup from Manolo Asuncion.

Karanbir Bhandal paced the Timberwolves with 18 points. Isaac Kempf and Asuncion each added 12.

Josiah Van Vliet and Dylan Segaar led RC with 17 and 14 points, respectively.

Freshman

Ripon Christian 39, Sierra 34

Hudson Schenk fired 14 points for the victorious Knights. Stadtler Postma carried the load at the outset, scoring all 12 of his points in the first quarter as Ripon Christian built a 16-12 lead.

Kiral Tran registered 12 points for Sierra.