Ribet Academy boys basketball charges past Renaissance to grab spot in state championship game

LOS ANGELES >> Ribet Academy defeated Rennaissance Academy 45-31 on Tuesday in a high school boys basketball game.

Oh, but it was much more than just another basketball game. It was a CIF Southern California Regional Division I final with a CIF State championship berth on the line.

It was the second time this season Ribet defeated Rennaissance, and it earned the Fighting Frogs a return to the state championship game. They won the state Division IV title last season.

No. 8 seed Ribet will play No. 7 Campolindo, a 54-49 winner over De La Salle on Tuesdsay, on Friday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

“To go at the Division I level is incredible,” Ribet second-year coach Reggie Howard said. “We wanted to just compete at this level, and now to be able to go and represent Southern California in the Division I championship, it’s just a statement of the kids’ hard work.”

Ribet, which won the CIF Southern Section Division 2A title on Feb. 29, was led by senior guard Snookey Wigington, who scored 15 points and made three 3-pointers, and junior forward Tyler Powell, who scored 10 points.

Renaissance, which was trying to get to its first state championship game in 12 years, was led by senior center Evans Kipkemoi with a team-high 15 points. Junior forward Ring Malith added nine points.

“The run we had this year was really historic in a way,” Rennaissance second-year coach Alon Margalit said. “It’s incredible to think that last year we were ranked No. 620 and now we finish the season No. 19. We won the Division 4 CIF title and knocked off some incredible programs, and Ribet is one of the best teams in the nation. They really are and you have to play your A game to beat them.”

The Wildcats beat Damien, JSerra and Cathedral Catholic to get to the SoCal final.

In a low-scoring first quarter, Ribet held an 11-6 lead, with Powell scoring five points. Rennaissance was led by Malith with four points.

The second quarter saw the Fighting Frogs doubling their advantage to 22-11 with 2:10 left in the half. Ribet ended the half on a 7-1 run for the 22-13 lead. Wigington had seven first-half points and Malith had six.

Both teams stepped up the offense in the third quarter, but Ribet still held a comfortable lead, 36-25, heading into the final quarter.

Kipkemoi, who scored four points in the final quarter, reflected after the game on the Wildcats’ season.

“This year we played hard and its not the end of the world,” Kipkemoi said. “This year we pushed hard and I hope next year the guys can get to a championship.”