Local Digest: Rough season opener for Modesto JC in men’s basketball

The Modesto Junior College Pirates opened the 2014-15 men’s basketball season Thursday by running into a far superior opponent.

The Cabrillo College Seahawks of Aptos poured in 14 three-pointers, led 40-15 at halftime and coasted to an 81-42 win at the Jonathan Wallace Memorial Tournament at Ohlone College.

Modesto, returning only one starter from last year’s 13-16 team, was led by guard Luka Petkovic with 12 points. Experienced Cabrillo, the Coast Conference-South champion that reached the NorCal quarterfinals last season, featured sophomore Latrell Wilson with 23 points on five triples.

The Pirates return to the court on Friday at 3 p.m. against the loser of Shasta and Ohlone.

Claim Jumpers rally – Ian Merzwinski’s triple with 23 seconds left gave Columbia its first lead of the game as the Claim Jumpers completed a rally from an 18-point deficit for a season-opening 57-53 win over Diablo Valley at Las Positas’ Tony Costello Memorial Tournament.

Rafe King had 17 points and contributed to Columbia’s stretch run, and Mike Meseroll (13 points) sealed the win by making three of four free throws in the final seconds. The Claim Jumpers meet Butte in the semifinalson Friday at 5 o’clock.

Soccer

Semifinals for Hawks – Gerardo Enriquez’s goal, off an assist by Robert Perez, was the difference as Central Valley marched into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals with a 1-0 win over Pioneer. Ramon Ruiz built the shutout with his 10 saves as the Hawks (16-1-8) won their second straight tournament game this week and will continue next Wednesday.

Water Polo

Pirates split – MJC (8-11) went 1-1 at the Big 8 Conference Championships and finished fifth at San Joaquin Delta College. Goalkeeper Geoff Risting starred with 14 saves as Modesto rallied from a 6-2 halftime deficit and scared American River before falling 9-8. Mitchell Moreda, Will McCormick and Brad McCain had two goals apiece for MJC.

The Pirates rallied from a 4-2 deficit to beat Santa Rosa 9-6, thanks to four goals by Ethan Heacox and 12 saves by Risting.

Ripon prevails – Ripon, anchored by Kole Gonzalez with six goals and Zach Scudder with five, opened the Section Division 2 Tournament with a 22-3 rout over Ceres at Woodcreek High in Roseville. Ty Wells finished with four goals, followed by Nathaniel Gagnon and Carson Morrow with three apiece and Nick Gagnon with one.

The Indians will meet Christian Brothers in the second round Tuesday morning at Whitney High in Rocklin.

Tennis

Raiders beaten –Central Catholic’s Payton Kelley and Amie Ardis won their quarterfinal singles matches before falling in the semifinals of the Section Division II Individual Tournament at Roseville. The Raiders’ doubles tandem Emma Withrow and Faith Masellis also won a match before losing in the semis.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 10:24 PM with the headline "Local Digest: Rough season opener for Modesto JC in men’s basketball."