DeCarlo Quintana launches a 3-pointer in front of the Carson High student section Thursday night in a 67-57 win over Galena. Quintana had 27 points, six blocks, six rebounds, three assists and a steal in the 10-point victory.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
It was a night and day difference from last week in Carson High’s 67-57 win over Galena Thursday night.
Less than a week removed from a 49-37 loss to Class 3A’s Sparks High, the Senators came out with an energy that hadn’t been seen yet from the home crowd.
Michael Hughes helped jumpstart the game as Carson went on a 16-0 run after being tied 4-4 in the opening minutes.
Hughes hit a corner three off a dish from Ethan Grant to give the Senators a 10-4 edge.
After swiping his third steal of the opening quarter, Hughes found Parker Story for an easy layup in transition, making it 13-4.
Yaki Glenn, who hit a triple in the first few minutes, poked a steal loose to Story who returned the assist to Hughes for a layup, giving Carson a 20-4 cushion late in the first quarter.
Hughes, who had 14 points in the first eight minutes, ended the night 19 points, eight steals and three assists.
From there, DeCarlo Quintana took over.
The senior forward only had two points in the opening quarter, but proceeded to deposit 25 additional points over the remaining three quarters of the contest.
Quintana opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer from the top of the arc and was on the receiving end of a Story pass for an inside bucket to give Carson a 29-12 lead on its next possession.
He showed his ability to space the floor too, stepping out for another triple to start the third quarter, keeping Carson’s lead at 16 points, 40-24.
By the time everything was over, Quintana had tallied 27 points, six blocks, six rebounds, three assists and a steal.
“My teammates helped me out and helped me get open. We were working really well together,” said Quintana. “I think we just gelled well together. We just came together. Let’s go get a quality win as a team. That was the difference.”
It was apparent the Senators’ mindset had changed in one week with improved shot selection and a willingness to battle on the glass.
Galena managed to cut the deficit to seven, 53-46, early in the fourth quarter, but Carson took care of the ball and sealed the game on the defensive end of the floor.
The final dagger came on a Quintana triple that swished through the net and earned the senior an additional free throw after getting fouled.
“He (Quintana) shot it well. He defended well. He was able to cover up a lot of our mistakes when we were beat. I was really proud of the way he navigated their zone,” said Golden. “He made the right read over and over again.”
Though the free throw didn’t fall, it pushed Carson’s lead back to 12, 61-49, allowing the Senators to secure their first league win of the season.
It also marked the first home win and first league win in the tenure of first-year head coach, Tyler Golden.
“Of course it feels good, but more than anything I’m just happy for the kids,” said Golden. “For these seniors to be able to get a win on their home court, hopefully we can back it up with another one and another one.”
UP NEXT: Carson (2-3, 1-2 in Class 5A league play) will head to Reno High (8-1, 1-1) Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip-off. The Huskies took down Bishop Manogue Thursday night, 47-45.
Thursday night 5A area scores
Douglas 71, Reed 54
Reno 47, Bishop Manogue 45
Spanish Springs 51, Damonte Ranch 49
(Carson High guard Michael Hughes looks up the floor, during Carson's 67-57 league win over Galena Thursday. Unofficially, Hughes had 19 points, eight steals and three assists in the victory. / Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage)
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