Basketball Game Preview: Ripon Christian Knights vs. Downey Knights

Having just played yesterday, Ripon Christian will jump right back in to play Downey at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Ripon Christian not only won on Wednesday, but they posted their biggest win since January 23rd (when they won 74-31). They took their game with ease, bagging a 64-37 win over Chavez. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Knights' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 342nd, while the Titans are ranked 847th).

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Downey). They claimed a resounding 71-42 victory over McNair. The win continues a trend for the Knights in their matchups with the Eagles: they've now won three in a row.

Ripon Christian better focus on containing Solomon Paris and Quincy Elder as the pair were huge in Downey's win. Paris dropped a double-double with 19 points and ten boards, while Elder posted 17 points and five assists. Paris is becoming a predictor of Downey's success: when he posts at least 15 points the team is undefeated (and 1-2 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Andrew Miller, who put up nine points and six rebounds.

Ripon Christian now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Downey, their record is now 4-2.

Ripon Christian was dealt a bruising 64-37 loss at the hands of Downey in their previous meeting back in December of 2022. Thankfully for Ripon Christian, Lloyd French (who dropped a double-double with 40 points and 13 boards) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.