STOCKTON — After Ripon yielded a 12-point, first-quarter lead to trail tournament host Ben Holt Academy late in the second quarter, the Indians exploded for 22 third-period points behind nine points by Jack Schooland on the way to a 69-47 win over the Bobcats for the championship.
“It was close because we missed a lot of layups in the first half,” Ripon coach Dean Balcao said. “In the second half, we kind of got it together, ran a different offense and Jack (Schooland) hit some big-time 3-pointers for us. In the second half, we played a lot better than in the first half, and that’s how we are going to have to play if we want to win a playoff game.”
The Indians (11-5) dominated on defense, grabbing 43 rebounds to just 23 for Holt Academy (11-5) while Ripon racked up 12 blocks.
“We work on what we call ‘trees’,” Balcao said. “We go straight up and down to block so we don’t foul, because with the new rule you are shooting after just five fouls. We are doing a good job playing defense.”
Tournament MVP Landon Gillespie poured in 22 points with eight rebounds, four blocks and three assists. One of those rebounds was a tip-in in the fourth quarter over a pair of Bobcats defenders.
“They were readable,” Gillespie said. “When they would go up right-hand open we would be right behind them to block. We have people who can get up there.”
Dawson Downs (seven points) helped pace the Ripon defense with 10 rebounds and four blocks.
“It wasn’t my night shooting-wise,” Downs said. “But I have great teammates that can score when I don’t.”
Ty Herrin just missed a double-double for the Indians with 11 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and three assists. He helped Ripon out to its big early lead with seven points in the first period.
“We started off strong going up 14-2,” Herrin said. “then we slacked off on defense and gave up too many rebounds.
“Then we had a talk with our coach and came out and did what we should have done in the beginning.”
Logan Lefebvre tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal for the Indians with four assists in the pivotal third period. Schooland pulled in five rebounds to go with his nine points and was named to the all-tournament team.
Ripon travels to Livingston on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to kick off the Trans-Valley League campaign.
“Right now we are focusing on league and hopefully playoffs,” Balcao said. “Those are the next two seasons coming up.
“League is coming up Wednesday and we have to go on the road again to Livingston. It’s going to be a tough environment. That’s why we are in this tournament at their place in a tough environment against the home team. This has been really good for us for league games when we have to go on the road.”
