Manteca’s boys basketball team suffered a third consecutive defeat on Friday, but there was no shame in the 58-51 loss to visiting Mountain House.
The two teams previously faced off in a Valley Oak League opener at the start of the month, and second-place Mountain House (6-1, 12-10 overall) crushed the Buffaloes, 64-37. It was far more competitive in the rematch, with Manteca (4-3, 10-13) taking a 28-25 halftime lead.
The Mustangs galloped out of the break with 10 unanswered points and did not trail for the rest of the game. Manteca closed the deficit to 52-49 on two free throws from Austin Barnes but could not get over the hump.
“I told the boys that we had nothing to lose, and they came out ready to go,” Manteca coach Geoff Israel said. “They executed the game plan. Just had a few mental lapses, but we were right there. Proud of the way the boys competed tonight.”
Scoring balance keyed the Buffs, who were led by Johan Peringelil and Jayden Scarver with 12 points apiece. Tyler Watkins and Barnes each had 11. Josh Mellion added four points and 10 rebounds.
Coldin Parker and Jordan Williams paced Mountain House with 22 and 20 points, respectively.
Manteca will look to bounce back next Wednesday back at home against Oakdale.
Ripon 75, Hilmar 53
The Indians (5-1, 13-9 overall) are back in first place, thanks to Ripon Christian’s convincing win over Sonora, which has led to a three-way share for the top spot in the Trans-Valley League.
They had their way against the host Yellowjackets, busting out to a 19-7 first-quarter lead and pouring in 24 points in the fourth. Marcus Madoski fired a game-high 28 points, while Ethan Bauer buried five 3-pointers and finished with 22 points. Logan Lefebvre added 13points.
Xavier Silveira registered 19 points for Hilmar (2-4, 7-14).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ripon 29, Hilmar 22
Ripon ended the first half of TVL play with its first-place standing intact, outdueling visiting Yellowjackets in a defensive battle. The Indians (6-0, 13-9) held Hilmar to five or less points in each of the last three quarters.
Offensively, Ripon center Shayla McKeon was the lone double-figure scorer with 11 points. Leila Sanchez added six points. Fifteen of their combined points came in the second half.
Ava Stivers paced Hilmar (3-3, 5-13) with seven points.
Orestimba 50, Ripon Christian 33
On Thursday, the Knights (1-4 TVL, 5-9 overall) had no answer for Orestimba’s early shooting barrage. The Warriors (3-2, 11-8) knocked down eight of their nine 3-points in the first half, staking a 32-11 lead by the midway point.
Shantelle Pizarro made four of those 3s and finished with 14 points. Ashlynn Bell and Lilly Rocha contributed 11 points each. Ripon Christian center Reagan Van Der Hoek fired 15 points.
GIRLS SOCCER
East Union 2, Mountain House 0
Brooke Dorland and Emily Pires each scored a goal, as the Lancers (3-4-1, 9-9-2 overall) picked up a needed VOL win at Dino Cunial Field.
Freshman goalie Kadence Rossi shut out Mountain House (1-3-3, 1-10-5).
Ripon Christian 5, Hughson 0
Junior forward Alanna Blanco contributed to every goal scored in the TVL game at Ripon Christian (4-4, 10-6-1 overall), scoring three and assisting two.
She got her big night started with a shot from distance, with Lauren Mouw providing the assist. Blanco later provided service for second-half goals from Addison De Jong and Naomi Hendricks.
Morgan Schenk picked up the shutout.
JV girls soccer
East Union 2, Mountain House 0
The Lancers got scoring from Sierra Dormer and Cheyenne Hudson, while goalkeeper Makenna Miller kept the sheet clean.
JV boys basketball
Sierra 61 Patterson 50
Sierra (4-3, 11-7) blew open a 22-3 first-quarter lead and coasted to the VOL win.
Jordan Harrison and Isaac Kempf scored 14 and 13 points, respectively. Isaiah Revives added eight, as 10 different Timberwolves contributed with points.
Mountain House 76, Manteca 44
Madden Melendez spearheaded the Buffaloes with 11 points, and Mohammed Awan pumped in 10. Mateo Gonzalez pitched in seven.
Frosh boys basketball
Sierra 55 Patterson 34
Down two at halftime, the Timberwolves (2-5, 9-12) dominated the second half, 29-6.
Jack Taylor led them with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Travis Rose tallied 12 points and two 3s. Kiral Tran and Sam Taylor added nine and seven points, respectively.
