Ripon Christian boys hoops open state playoffs with convincing win
In its first two offensive possessions in Wednesday’s CIF State NorCal Division VI playoff game against California School for the Deaf, the Ripon Christian boys basketball team turned the ball over.
The Knights hadn’t played since Feb. 27, when they beat Stockon Christian in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI Championship.
It was easy to see why they may have been a little rusty.
Despite the early struggles, the Knights led the entire game and beat the Eagles, 64-41, and will host Fall River in the semifinals on Saturday at 6 p.m.
“We weren’t very sharp,” Knights coach Mark Hofman said. “We made poor decisions on offense but our rebounding and defensive transition were well.”
Hofman said the Knights (24-7) tried to make the extra passes, resulting in turnovers, but still had a height advantage against the Eagles (24-7).
Ripon Christian relied on senior Jacob Van Groningen (22 points), and his cousin, junior Braden Van Groningen (16 points), and the two got most of their points in the paint. Ripon Christian had an 11-point lead after the first quarter and were up 36-17 at halftime.
The Knights have won all four of its playoff games by at least 20 points and Hofman said while it’s a long season, he gave the team three days off after winning the section title before they practiced on Monday.
“We took a deep breath and refocused,” Hofman said.
Hofman was able to rest most of his starters for the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Enos Zornoza had nine points for the Eagles.
MC sophomore has a big day: Modesto Christian sophomore Titus Wheelock was 3-for-3 with a grand slam and nine RBIs in the Crusaders’ 12-1 win over Johansen on Wendesday.
Johansen senior named co-MVP of WAC: Johansen senior Diego Gutierrez was named co-MVP of the Western Athletic Conference.
Gutierrez had 43 goals for the Vikings.
Pacheco sophomore Jimmy Perkins was the other recipient of the award.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 9:21 PM.
