PREP: Carson girls win 2nd straight

The Carson High girls basketball team grinded out a 42-34 victory over Righetti at the Morro Bay Tournament on Thursday.

Coach Todd Ackerman said it was a physical game that saw Carson lead by one (10-9) after the first quarter. Carson extended its lead to two (21-19) at halftime. The teams played an even third quarter as the Senators took a 34-32 lead into the fourth.

That's when the scrappy Senators turned up the defensive pressure. The defense allowed Carson to go up by five early in the quarter. Ackerman said the final margin should have been more, but Carson misfired on a couple of shots. He said they also missed the front-end of a one-and-one a couple times and missed 3-of-4 free throws in the quarter.

"We played really well defensively," he said. "We did a nice job of making them work for their points."

The game was a physical battle as the 2-man officiating crew let the teams play a little more than normal. Carson is used to a 3-man officiating crew during the 4A league season.

"We adjusted. We are starting to (play) more physical," Ackerman said. "It is good for us (to play this way), it will help us toughen up."

The Senators received scoring from eight players, led by Eliza Matley with 10 points. Natalie Stevens and Jazmyn Stokes both added eight.

Carson (2-2) continues play in the tournament today at 3:30 p.m.

SIERRA LUTHERAN FALLS BY ONE

Sierra Lutheran's girls basketball team fell to South Tahoe's JV 29-28 Thursday night. The 1A Falcons made a strong second half comeback that came up just short against the larger 3A school.

The Vikings held an eight point halftime lead (18-10) before the Falcons turned up the defense and closed the gap to five points heading into the fourth. Sierra Lutheran fought back, even taking the lead with two minutes to go, but South Tahoe retook the lead on a contested 15-footer.

The Falcons tried to force a turnover late but South Tahoe hung on for the lead.

"In the past, if we fell behind we didn't have the fortitude to comeback ... but (against South Tahoe) we didn't quit and we fought hard," said coach Michael Nelson.

Playing with only 10 girls, the Falcons are hanging tough with the larger schools, which Nelson said will help when the 1A conference season comes.

"We are trying to tell them (other 1A schools) that Sierra Lutheran is here and we are going to be a hard fight," Nelson said.

Mariah West and Stephenie Nieri led the team with 10 points. Tiffany Patrick added five.

Nelson praised the defensive play of Karina Young and Mckinze Tynes who injured an ankle and had to miss some time, but gutted it out to help the Falcons.