Carson pulls out in basketball cliffhanger

Carson boys basketball coach Carlos Mendeguia had the understatement of the day when describing the Senators.

"They like to make it interesting," he said. For the third straight game, Carson played in a contest that was decided by one point as time ran out. For the second straight game, the Senators were able to pull out the win, this time beating highly regarded Manual Arts 59-58 in overtime Saturday at the Amador Valley Tournament in California.

Cody Longero hit both ends of a one-and-one with 11 seconds left in regulation to give Carson (8-2) a 55-52 lead. But Manual Arts hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force a 55-55 tie and overtime.

After Manual Arts took a 57-55 lead, Vince Inglima scored to tie it 57-57 and after Manual Arts took a 58-57 advantage, Longero scored inside with 11 seconds left to give the Senators a 59-58 lead. Carson survived when Manual Arts' shot at the buzzer rolled out of the rim.

Longero led the Senators with 25 points. "He took control inside," Mendeguia said.

Vinnie Reymus also kept Carson in the game with his outside shooting, scoring all 15 of his points on five 3-pointers.

"They were just very athletic and quick," said Mendeguia about Manual Arts. "These games are going to help us down the road. We don't get anything by beating anybody by 20 or 30 points."

In its tournament opener, Carson lost to host Amador Valley 68-67, but came back to beat Merced 62-61.