RC boys basketball players adjust to new roles following key injuries as TVL play looms
The Ripon Christian boys basketball team’s uphill battle started before the first game of the season.
In the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII Football Championship game, Thys Van Der Hoek and Griffin de Abreu went down with knee injuries that meant they would be out for the rest of football and they’d miss the entire basketball season as well.
Not only was head coach Mark Hofman losing two of his top three returning scorers, but he was also going to be without two of the team’s hardest workers and leaders on the court.
“I thought of them first,” said Hofman. “It was very tough. You want to take care of them. … But then, it’s like, ‘What kind of team are we going to be now?’
“They have to work harder. They have to fight.”
Senior guard Eli Terpsma was the team’s leading scorer last season, and he has seen his role increase more this year with the absence of his fellow seniors.
“Eli has to be there as a major part of it,” Hofman said, stressing that Terpsma’s teammates need to get him open.
Terpsma has had a lot put on his shoulders, but after Ripon Christian won the Trans-Valley League title with an 11-1 record last season, he knows opposing teams won’t feel sorry for his teammates and him.
“They’re a very huge part of our team,” Terpsma said of Van Der Hoek and de Abreu. “They bring up our rebounds, shot percentage, everything. They’re great guys and they’re great players. It sucks to lose them a lot, but we’ve got to have that mentality that we got to keep pushing through it.”
The Knights tuned up for league play in last week’s Holiday Hoop Classic, facing playoff caliber teams in four straight games.
Though seemingly undermanned, they were competitive in nearly every one. Ripon Christian lost to Edison of Stockton, a top 20 team in the section, by just six points and played a competitive first half against Weston Ranch of the San Joaquin Athletic Association.
In the team’s opening game of the tournament Terpsma, who leads the team averaging 17.8 points a game, made the game-winning three against Manteca.
“I had to get open, so I set the guy up and walked him down,” Terpsma said after the game. “Then the only thing going through my head after that was I just got to make it.”
The Knights enter Friday’s league opener against Escalon with an 8-7 record that might not reflect how good the team really is.
Given their injuries, they’ve had other players step up. Junior Luke Crivello (10.7 points per game), and senior Justin Hofman (7.9 ppg) have picked up the scoring responsibilities, and Jace Biedleman has been a defensive presence at 6-foot-7. The team is well-rounded out of necessity.
“They’ve all had to contribute,” Hofman said. “Like, a four-point guy might need to be a seven-point guy. Whoever can contribute is going to contribute that night, and they’re willing to get that guy the ball.”
MC wins 22nd Annual Holiday Hoop Classic: The Modesto Christian basketball team has won eight of its last nine games after starting the season on a three-game losing streak. The Crusaders have won their last five games including going a perfect 4-0 at the Holiday Hoop Classic, bringing home the tournament championship for the second straight season. Seniors Bj Davis and Jalen Brown were named tournament co-MVP’s and senior Prince Oseya and freshman Rashod Cotton made the all-tournament team. Modesto Christian will play two Tri-City Athletic League games before taking on Liberty of Henderson, Nev., on Saturday.
Riverbank girls basketball wins at buzzer: The Riverbank girls basketball team opened Trans-Valley League play in thrilling fashion Tuesday night against reigning league champion Escalon High. Junior point guard Chancis Gamez drove to the basket and put in the game winning left-handed layup to secure a 58-56 victory. The Bruins have started the season 13-2 and are ranked 26th in the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps in its most recent rankings. They are led by Gamez (15.9 ppg), sophomore Taylor Macias (15.6) and senior Livi Fernandez (12.3).
MJC’s Baldwin commits to UC Davis: MJC starting tight end Holden Baldwin announced Dec. 21 that he will play Division I football at UC Davis. The Turlock High graduate and All-Valley Conference selection caught 19 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also helped block for running backs Aiden Taylor, Kimoni Stanley and Alonzo Jackson, who combined for 17 rushing touchdowns, helping the Pirates reach the state playoffs. In two seasons at MJC, Baldwin totaled 37 catches, 438 yards and five touchdowns.
Stan State opens 2023 with rivalry win: The Stan State men’s basketball team got its first win of 2023 on New Year’s Day, beating rival Chico State, 68-65. Three players scored in double figures for the Warriors. Benno Zecic (13 points), Marlon Short (13) and Kobe Ordonio (11) led the way. Zecic had a great all-around performance, narrowly missing a triple double with nine assists, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Short put the Warriors ahead with 17 seconds left and Will Pallesi hit two free throws to seal the win. The Warriors will continue a five-game home stand Thursday against Cal State East Bay and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday. Men’s and women’s teams both play.
This story was originally published January 5, 2023 at 12:58 PM.
