The Ripon High boys water polo team kick started its season last Friday and Saturday in the Sierra Shootout Tournament in Rocklin.

Based on how they fared in their last appearance at the event, the Indians were placed in the Gold Bracket. Overall, the team went 2-2 and got reacquainted with a Valley Oak League rival.

Ripon opened Friday with a thrilling 15-14 victory over Alhambra of Martinez. Donnovan Armstrong, the Indians’ lone senior at the tourney, scored the buzzer-beater and finished with two goals. Freshman Ben Svoboda anchored the win with six goals. McKeane Beier and Brody Biedermann each had three, and Owen Curtiss chipped in one.

Ripon took on VOL foe Oakdale in Game 2 Friday, dropping a 15-7 decision. Armstrong netted three goals, Beier had two, Ryan Bell and Biedermann added one apiece.

In the early game Saturday, Ripon was pitted against another veteran team in Sonora, which prevailed, 15-7. Teo West, Biedermann and Curtiss each had two goals, and Beier fired one.

The Indians closed it out with a convincing 15-4 victory over Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills.

Biedermann and Svoboda registered four goals apiece in the blowout. Beier picked up three more goals, Armstrong converted a pair and Curtiss and West rounded out scoring with one each.