Lathrop annexed its first boys basketball championship in school history on Thursday, defeating Los Banos on the road, 63-60.
The Spartans (12-2, 15-11 overall) are guaranteed to have at least a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship. They can win it outright if Mountain House drops either of its final two contests against Pacheco and Grace Davis.
“I’m honored to be in the position I am at Lathrop High, to work with such high character and hard-working, young student-athletes and to have the support of the athletic director and principal,” Lathrop coach Charles Roth said. “These find young men deserve this, and I’m proud to be their coach.”
Izaias White led Lathrop with 20 points, and Napolean Reeves had 13. They sparked the Spartans’ strong start, helping the team build a 23-11 by scoring six points apiece in the first quarter. Seven other Lathrop players contributed to the scoring.
Los Banos (5-8, 14-11) was led by Anthony Blancarte’s 20 points. Camron Lockett contributed 15.
VARSITY GIRLS
Ripon 51, Livingston 29
The Indians (8-4, 16-11 overall) finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Trans-Valley League. They capped the regular season with four straight wins while avenging one of their league losses by a wide margin. Ripon was well ahead 31-6 at halftime and held the Wolves (5-7, 9-14) to just 12 points in the first three quarters.
Kaylee Hutchinson anchored the team with 17 points and six assists. Sierra Hollis contributed 10 points and six rebounds. Drew Peters chipped in eight points. Esme Macias and Grace Mikami combined their efforts defensively to hold Isabella Zazueta to two points. Zazueta torched the Indians for five 3s in their previous meeting.
Lathrop 53, Los Banos 38
First-place Los Banos (11-2 WAC, 21-5 overall) was without its top scorer, Anissa Sanchez (concussion), and the host Spartans (11-3, 21-7) were able to avoid a three-game season sweep at the hands of the Tigers.
Kierstin Constantino put on a show in her final regular-season home game, draining five 3s and hitting all eight of her free throws en route to scoring 25 points. Freshman Michailla Springs added 11 points. America Ordunez poured in 24 points for Los Banos, which was competitive through three quarters but was outscored 19-10 in the fourth.
Weston Ranch 53, Sierra 48
In a back-and-forth Valley Oak League encounter, it was a 20-7 third-quarter surge that put the visiting Cougars (4-7, 8-15) over the top.
Brianna Parker paced Sierra with 14 points, five rebounds and eight steals. Grace Langenfeld finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Olivia Werner turned in nine points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Abby Chapman added four points, 12 rebounds, three steals and four blocks. Emma Gilmore contributed eight points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Junior varsity girls
Ripon 30, Livingston 20
Vanessah Ponce netted 10 points for Ripon (10-2 TVL, 20-5 overall).
Freshman girls
Ripon 41, Livingston 10
The Indians (6-0, 14-4) garnered the outright TVL championship. Giolana Loretelli fired 14 points in the season finale.
