Lathrop shot out to a fast start Wednesday night only to have to hold host Franklin off at the end in a 49-47 nonleague girls basketball win for the Spartans.

“We started out hot with the best scoring first half we have had,” Lathrop coach Dwayne Davis said. “Six fast-break layups got us going along with pretty good defense.

“In the second half we got a little lackadaisical and in the fourth quarter it became a foul fest on our part. We had to fight tooth and nail at the end and made three defensive stops.

The Spartans led 16-4 in the first period and held off the Yellowjackets (4-8) of Sockton who enjoyed an 18-8 advantage in the fourth quarter.

Shakara Porter paced Lathrop with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jaleiyah Ray tallied a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals while Faith Allen chipped in five points, four rebounds, five steals.

The two teams face each other again Friday at Lathrop at 6 p.m.

Boys soccer

Ripon 3, Hughson 3

The Indians started off Western Athletic League play with a tie at home.

Brian Machado notched a brace and an assist for Ripon (0-0-1 WAC, 6-7-1 overall). Alejandro Prieto added a goal and an assist and Cameron Dumlao an assist.

The Indians led 2-1 at halftime. The Huskies (0-01, 2-6-1) tied it twice in the second half and never led.

“We need to finish game plan all the way through,” Ripon coach Jose Montes said.

The Indians travel to Newman on Friday, Jan. 3, to face Orestimba at 5:15 p.m.

Hilmar 4, Ripon Christian 0 The Knights (0-1, 5-2-1) dropped their league opener at home.

Ripon Christian hosts Hughson on Friday afternoon at 5:15.

Junior varsity

Ripon 7, Hughson 0 Alan Aguirre (assist) and Josiah Afalege each posted a brace for the Indians.

Diego Radia (two assists), Johny Salinas and Julian Moreal each added a goal.

Girls soccer

Hilmar 1, Ripon Christian 0 The Knights (0-1, 5-3-1) dropped a tough, physical road loss in their league opener.

The Yellowjackets (1-0, 8-3-1) tallied 14 fouls and each team picked up a yellow card in the first half. Ripon Christian outshot Hilmar 17-9 but the Knights could not match the Yellowjackets’ second-half goal. Ripon Christian has another road contest on Friday against Hughson at 3:30 p.m