Riverbank High varsity boys basketball players had the hot hand on Friday, and put on a show at the perimeter with 10 three-point shots as the host Bruins beat Ripon in a 59-54 final tally.
The victory allowed Riverbank (16-1 overall, 4-1 Trans-Valley League) to keep their hold on the No. 2 position in the conference standings with only one contest remaining in the first half of league games as of Monday.
Riverbank played Hughson (5-13, 1-4) on Tuesday, though results were not available at press time. The Bruins host Modesto Christian (14-4, 5-0) on Friday.
"At this point every game is huge," Bruin coach Jeff Jennings said. "Obviously we want to take care of home games. We have played pretty well at home and we want every advantage we can get."
The Bruins led Ripon 17-11 after a quarter and 40-34 after three periods. The Indians exploded for 20 fourth quarter points, but late free throws kept Riverbank ahead after a 19-point scoring effort in the fourth. The Bruins got a huge game from sophomore Rolaun Dunham, who led all scorers with 26 points. He drained four treys and watched Alex Reynaga (16 points) also sink four three-pointers. Logan Nabors scored five points for Riverbank while Robert Martinez (four), Markus Benson (three), Anthony Navarette (two), Kenny Veliz (two) and Armando Manriquez (one) also scored. Dunham and Martinez each pulled down seven rebounds in the win while Reynaga dished out five assists.
Cole Herrin spearheaded Ripon's late comeback with 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Jake McCreath finished with 16. The Indians (8-11, 2-3) made just one three-pointer.
"I think that was the difference," Ripon head coach Rod Wright said of the Bruins' perimeter shooting. "We only had one 3-pointer. We had open looks too, but they hit their open looks."
A win over Hughson locks Riverbank for a likely top-three position in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV power ratings when it is released later this month. The top-16 teams in the power ratings make the playoffs while the top eight teams will host a postseason contest.
"We can't be in a much better spot than we are right now," coach Jennings said. "With only one loss this season we are really hoping to get a couple playoff games at home."
The Bruins will host Escalon - also sporting a 4-1 mark as of Monday - in the opening game of second half TVL play on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
The victory allowed Riverbank (16-1 overall, 4-1 Trans-Valley League) to keep their hold on the No. 2 position in the conference standings with only one contest remaining in the first half of league games as of Monday.
Riverbank played Hughson (5-13, 1-4) on Tuesday, though results were not available at press time. The Bruins host Modesto Christian (14-4, 5-0) on Friday.
"At this point every game is huge," Bruin coach Jeff Jennings said. "Obviously we want to take care of home games. We have played pretty well at home and we want every advantage we can get."
The Bruins led Ripon 17-11 after a quarter and 40-34 after three periods. The Indians exploded for 20 fourth quarter points, but late free throws kept Riverbank ahead after a 19-point scoring effort in the fourth. The Bruins got a huge game from sophomore Rolaun Dunham, who led all scorers with 26 points. He drained four treys and watched Alex Reynaga (16 points) also sink four three-pointers. Logan Nabors scored five points for Riverbank while Robert Martinez (four), Markus Benson (three), Anthony Navarette (two), Kenny Veliz (two) and Armando Manriquez (one) also scored. Dunham and Martinez each pulled down seven rebounds in the win while Reynaga dished out five assists.
Cole Herrin spearheaded Ripon's late comeback with 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Jake McCreath finished with 16. The Indians (8-11, 2-3) made just one three-pointer.
"I think that was the difference," Ripon head coach Rod Wright said of the Bruins' perimeter shooting. "We only had one 3-pointer. We had open looks too, but they hit their open looks."
A win over Hughson locks Riverbank for a likely top-three position in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV power ratings when it is released later this month. The top-16 teams in the power ratings make the playoffs while the top eight teams will host a postseason contest.
"We can't be in a much better spot than we are right now," coach Jennings said. "With only one loss this season we are really hoping to get a couple playoff games at home."
The Bruins will host Escalon - also sporting a 4-1 mark as of Monday - in the opening game of second half TVL play on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
