What was thought to be one of the toughest games on the tournament for the Carson High boys basketball game turned into a rout for the Senators.
After losing its first three games at the Sea Hawk Classic in Redondo Beach, Calif., Carson ended the event on a high note with a 74-48 win over Southern California's Animo, which featured a Division I player. Carson was able to contain Animo's top player, holding him to 11 points.
Carson coach Bruce Barnes said he expected Saturday's game to be the second toughest of the tournament behind his team's opener when it lost to North Torrance 70-50. North Torrance advanced to the tournament's championship game while View Prep Park, which beat the Senators 54-49, was playing for third.
The Senators led 19-9 after one quarter and outscored Animo 27-13 in the second quarter to take a 46-22 halftime lead.
"We really shot the ball very well for whatever reason," Carson coach Bruce Barnes said. "We took control of the game early and shot the ball the way were capable of. I thought we played very good defense and that led to some buckets in transition."
Caleb Carter scored 25 points and Rob Valerius had a strong game with 16 points and 12 rebounds. "He did a good job on the defensive boards," said Barnes about Valerius.
Carter and Valerius sparked Carson in the second quarter, scoring 25 of the team's 27 points. Carter scored 15 and Valerius added 10.
David Eller also had a strong game, adding eight points on 4-of-4 shooting. The Senators were also able to handle Animo's full-court pressure in large part due to the play of point guard Matt Rutledge. Carson returns to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday when it plays at Manogue.
EAST HALL 58, GALENA 53
The Grizzlies finished the Tampa Hoops Classic by playing a team that has won three state titles and finished as the state runners-up three times over the last six years in Georgia.
Galena coach Tom Maurer said he was glad to play East Hall since it uses a 12-player rotation. He said his team will face a similar platoon situation against many teams in Northern Nevada for the rest of the year. "That's why I wanted to play them so bad," Maurer said.
The Grizzlies looked to be in control when they led 32-24 at halftime. "Life was good," Maurer said.
But East Hall outscored Galena 13-5 in the third quarter and 21-16 in the fourth quarter. The turning point came in the third quarter when East Hall took four charging fouls.
East Hall scored nine points off of those fouls - one three-pointer and three two-point baskets. "Our kids were trying to play aggressive and get to the rim," Maurer said.
Goose Robinson scored 18 points and Luke Babbitt added 17 points for Galena. "I thought our kids played pretty good ball," Maurer said. "Our kids played hard."
CHS JV BOYS 59, RENO 52
Michael Lowes scored 17 points, Ian Gunn had 13 points, Jeff Davies had 10 points, Josh Peacock had eight points, Spencer Roberts had five points and Matt Nuthall and Pat Smith each added three points for Carson (8-2) in the State Farm Holiday Classic third place game.
DOUGLAS 51, CHS FROSH BOYS 40
Douglas won the showdown between 8-0 teams to win the State Farm Classic title. Danny Gall scored 15 points, Trey Jensen had eight points, Chris Steele had seven points, Carlos Carrillo had five points, Logan Philippi had three points and John Parker added two points for Carson. Gall and Jensen made the all-tournament team.
DOUGLAS 43, CHS JV GIRLS 31
Janet Butler scored nine points, Sara Anderson had six points, Hannah Shaw had five rebounds and Hannah Dudley had five steals for Carson, which lost in the State Farm Classic fifth place game. Dudley made the all-tournament team.
CHS FROSH GIRLS 57, RENO 24
Ashley Saarem had seven rebounds, Lisa Yamamoto had five rebounds and Lindsay Burroughs, J.J. Fleming and Breann Perry all added four assists for Carson, which won the State Farm Classic third place game. Elizabeth Cagle made the all-tournament team for Carson.