Braden Van Groningen’s effort leads RC boys hoops to its 11th section title
Ripon Christian’s Braden Van Groningen likes to do the “dirty work.”
Van Groningen, a junior, dives for loose balls, takes charges, and maybe most importantly, is relentless when it comes to rebounding.
“When the shot goes up, I am tracking the ball,” Van Groningen said. “Offensively, it’s all about getting another opportunity for your team.”
Van Groningen had 28 points and 12 rebounds (eight offensive) as the Knights beat Stockton Christian, 73-56, in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI Championship on Thursday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Often with two or three defenders in the vicinity, Van Groningen fought for rebounds and also forced six Eagles’ fouls.
The championship was Ripon Christian’s 11th, second most behind Modesto Christian, which has 19. It was also the Knights’ second title in three years after beating Sacramento Adventist, 59-51, in 2018.
Ripon Christian (23-7) had a clear size advantage against Eagles (28-2), outrebounding them 53-23, including 27 offensive rebounds.
“It’s partly because of height but also their desire to get the ball,” Knights coach Mark Hofman said. “We wear teams down.”
Senior Jacob Van Groningen had 15 rebounds and 13 rebounds and junior Reed Van der Hook added eight points and 14 rebounds.
The Van Groningen cousins are no stranger to winning as both were on the 2018 team; they also have won sand volleyball titles as well.
Braden said the two have a strong bond; Jacob said they have been competing with each other since they were kids.
“We like to challenge each other and played plenty of games of 21,” Jacob said.
Hofman said they both are “multifaceted” and can shoot 3-pointers and move the ball around in addition to being excellent rebounders.
Ripon Christian trailed 3-0 20 seconds into the game but went on a 14-0 run and led for the rest of the game. The Knights held only a two-point lead at halftime but had most of their 25 second-chance points in the second half and increased their pace.
Junior guard Jay Araya had 30 points for Stockton Christian.
Ripon Christian will find out its next opponent when the CIF State releases its brackets on Sunday.
This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 2:44 PM.
