Ripon Christian’s boys basketball team took care of business Wednesday, thumping first-year varsity River Islands 72-37 at home in a non-league tilt.

Winners of six straight, the Knights (13-4) can now shift their focus on rival Ripon, which visits Friday for a Trans-Valley League first-place showdown. They’ll look to extend their 17-game home winning streak.

Ripon Christian used a balanced attack to jump out to a 24-8 first-half lead and continued to spread the wealth from there. Jake Vander Veen led them with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Amos Cady registered 13 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals. Chase Bunnell and Mason Tameling each scored 10 points while making two 3s apiece.

With starters out to sickness, River Islands (9-8) was paced by Charles Mapanao’s 10 points. The Riptide has another tough assignment ahead, as Venture Academy visits EPIC Academy on Friday for a Central California Athletic Alliance contest.

GIRLS SOCCER

Ripon 5, Escalon 0

With a big TVL match ahead, Ripon (5-0, 9-3-2 overall) was able to rest some of its top players after blitzing the host Cougars (1-4, 3-6-4) for three goals in the first 11 minutes.

Center forward Olivia Maragos scored three goals and an assist by the 29th minute, and she sat out the rest of the game. The Indians face Hilmar at home tonight for a battle for first place.

Sofia Cabello and Claire Genasci added one goal each. Rylee Agbayani, Dani Rey and Starla Skiles each pitched in an assist. Ellena Parenti and Kylie Wiggins split time at goal, finishing with one save apiece.

Ripon Christian 2, Orestimba 0

The two former Southern Athletic League rivals faced off for the first time as members of the TVL, and Naomi Hendricks pushed the host Knights (3-2, 9-6-2) ahead just three minutes in off a feed from Alanna Blanco.

Hendricks later assisted Brooke Barnes to double the lead. Morgan Schenk came up with seven saves in the shutout.

Sierra 5, Patterson 0

Hailey Cruz had a part in every goal scored, as she had a hat trick and assisted Leslie Reyes twice at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.

Shayla Cline contributed two assists, while Reyes turned in one. Abigail Frazer and Mele Sanchez combined for three saves and the clean sheet.

The Timberwolves improved to 4-1-0 in VOL play, 13-3-2 overall.

BOYS SOCCER

Escalon 2, Ripon 1

The Indians (3-1-1 TVL, 9-8-1 overall) played a man down for the majority of the game at Stouffer Field.

Alejandro Prieto scored their lone goal and was assisted by Richard Langenfield. Goalkeeper Anthony Rivera racked up four saves, while Deegan Nobles had three.

JV boys basketball

Sierra 49 Central Catholic 46
Karanbir Bhandal exploded for 23 points, making five 3s in the process.

Isaiah Revives hit three 3s for the bulk of his 11 points. The Timberwolves improved to 3-1 in the VOL, 10-5 overall.

JV girls soccer

Sierra 6, Patterson 1

Ivy Sutton fired a brace, while Kaylee Rodriguez scored one goal and assisted two.

Isabella Cruz had a goal and an assist. Mikayla Mercier and Scarlett Robertson chipped in one goal apiece.