Despite a terrible time down the stretch from the foul line, the Carson High boys basketball team was able to end on a positive note at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic.
Carson beat Legacy 68-67 to finish the event 2-2. The Senators had overcome a 37-32 halftime deficit to take a 14-point lead with four minutes left in the game, but barely held on after struggling from the foul line. Carson went 4-of-17 from the line in the second half and 8-for-26 for the game.
"We missed free throw after free throw after free throw," Carson coach Bruce Barnes said. "We could not hit a free throw. We were lucky to hang on to be honest."
But other than the last few minutes, Barnes was pleased with his team's effort. "It was a good win," Barnes said. "We played well in the second half except for the last three minutes."
In all four games, the Senators were pressed constantly. "That was one good thing we got out of here every single team pressed us," Barnes said. "We got much better handling the pressure."
Barnes said among the players who played key roles in handling the pressure were point guard Matt Rutledge, Zach Weismann, who scored 22 points and Paul Cagle, who scored 17 points. "He was a mismatch for them," said Barnes about Cagle.
In each game, Carson also had to face size, playing against a 6-8 post player versus Legacy.
"We accomplished what we wanted to do," Barnes said. "We got a little bit of everything and got better each game."
CHS JV BOYS
After dropping its first game, Carson has won its last two to advance to the State Farm Tournament consolation finals.
Carson opened with a 38-31 loss to Manogue, but came back to beat Dayton 68-26 and Fallon 51-40. John Nuthall scored 15 points and Kyle Stone added 14 points against Dayton.
Nuthall scored 16 points and Blake Moreland added seven points against Fallon. Carson will play at 7 p.m. today at Galena.
CHS FROSH 59, LOWRY 35
Beau Bickel scored 14 points, Ian Gunn had eight points, Shane Mooney had seven points, Josh Peacock had six points, Ian Witter had five points, Mike Lowes, Uriel Duran and Slade Siciliano all had four points, Pat Smith had three points and Caelan Sanders and David Charles each added two points.
Carson also advanced to the State Farm Tournament consolation finals where it will play at 4:15 p.m. today at Galena.