Carson boys fall just short; Galena wins on a buzzer-beater

The Carson High boys basketball team ran up against two outstanding players that made the difference for Bear River, Calif., on Thursday in their opener of the Rotary Classic at South Tahoe.

Led by Barbic Garrett and 6-4 guard Partrick Scott, two returning all-league first team players, Bear River was able to hold off the Senators 63-60.

Carson led 17-13 after one quarter, but Bear River outscored the Senators 22-11 in the second quarter to take a 35-28 halftime lead. Bear River was led by Garrett, who hit three three-pointers during the second quarter.

Garrett was the leading three-point shooter in his league last year and Carson coach Bruce Barnes added "and on us."

Bear River built an 11-point lead in the third quarter before Carson mounted a comeback. The Senators closed to within 61-60 down the stretch before Scott hit two free throws with six seconds left.

Carson then missed a desperation three at the end. Scott hit 10-of-12 free throws on his way to scoring 26 points.

"He's just a very good high school player," Barnes said. "He was a matchup problem for us."

Brian Barnes hit three threes on his way to scoring 15 points, Uriel Duran and Matt Rutledge each had 13 points and Paul Cagle added eight points for Carson.

"With the exception of about a four-minute spurt we played pretty well," Barnes said. "We got a lot out of it.

Overall I'm happy with our effort. We played with a lot of intensity throughout the game."

Carson will return to action at 5 p.m. today at South Tahoe against Escalon, Calif., and will conclude play in the tournament at 12:30 p.m. Saturday agains Soquel, Calif.

GALENA 45, UNIVERSITY MISSION 44

With virtually an entire new team, Galena got off to the most dramatic beginning possible to begin the season as Victor Walker hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Grizzlies the win over University Mission of San Jose at Galena. Walker is the only returning player from last year's team and his three completed a comeback after Galena trailed 24-10 at halftime.

"We've got a brand new team. It's jus like '92. It wsa like '92 when I opened up," said Galena coach Tom Maurer about when he began the Galena program.

Galena cut the deficit to 32-27 after three quarters. Galena used pressure defense to make its comeback as its fullcourt pressure gave it a chance to win as the Grizzlies forced a turnover with seven seconds left down 44-42. Walker then worked around a double screen to hit the game-winner.

"When you have team that doesn't have a lick of experience and I think they're (University Mission) a pretty good team...I thought the competitiveness in the second half was outstanding."

Maurer said his team also played the type of defense his clubs have been known for in the second half.

"I was totally happy with our pressure and totally happy with the kids attitude and response," Maurer said.

Maurer said rebounding and taking care of the ball were also keys to the win. Galena committed nine turnovers in the first quarter, but had just eight turnovers the rest of the game.

"We got some critical rebounds," Maurer said. "I thought we did an outstanding job of rebounding against the zone. We took care of the ball."

Maurer said he's been happy with his team's work ethic throughout the summer and fall. "It's just a heckuva teaching experience and I'm having a ball teaching again," he said.

Walker led Galena with 19 points and Nate Hosmer, Brandon Smith and Ryan Dougherty all added six points for the Grizzlies.

Galena will next play at 2 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Drake of Marin County, Calif. "They're very physical and very well fundamental," Maurer said.