Basketball Preview: Hilmar Yellowjackets vs. Ripon Christian Knights
The Hilmar Yellowjackets will head out on the road to take on the Ripon Christian Knights at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Hilmar is coming into the matchup on a four-game losing streak.
Last Tuesday, things could have been worse for Hilmar, but they could have been a whole lot better as they took a 48-33 loss to the Huskies. That's two games in a row now that Hilmar has lost by exactly 15 points.
Despite their defeat, Hilmar saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Emma Gomes, who scored eight points along with seven rebounds and two steals, was perhaps the best of all. Another player making a difference was Alicia Souza, who scored eight points along with 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Ripon Christian didn't have too much trouble with the Wolves at home on Thursday as they won 37-21.
Ripon Christian's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Maddie Yonker led the charge by scoring eight points along with ten rebounds and four steals. Yonker has been hot recently, having posted eight or more rebounds the last seven times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Reagan Van der hoek, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and ten rebounds.
Hilmar dropped their record down to 10-11 with that defeat, which was their third straight at home. As for Ripon Christian, their victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 12-10.
Hilmar came up short against the Knights in their previous matchup back in January, falling 51-39. Can Hilmar avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
