On a night when a guy in a polyester suit was named "Winterfest King," a Carson player other than Lee Biddlecome recorded a dunk, and Wooster High coach Dick Allen announced he had coached his last game for the Colts, about the only thing that wasn't a surprise at Carson High School on Friday night was the fact that the Senator boys' basketball team thumped last-place Wooster, 66-52.
With third place in Division II and a playoff berth already clinched, the game was essentially a pre-zone tourney tuneup for Carson (17-10 , 8-4 Division II). The Senators will likely play at Galena or McQueen next Wednesday in the first round of the zone playoffs, dependent on the results of tonight's Division I games that include both Elko and McQueen.
With any anxiety they might have about the zone playoffs on hold, the Senator players appeared loose and relaxed against the Colts and took every opportunity they had to run with the ball. A 23-point second quarter gave the Senators a 39-20 lead at halftime, and Carson was never seriously challenged in the second half.
"This was really a booster for team esteem," said Mike Schreiner, who scored a modest seven points but had one the highlights of the game for the Senators with his third-quarter dunk. "They came out hard after beating Hug (on Tuesday), looking for their second win."
What Schreiner and the rest of the Senators didn't know was that Wooster would also be motivated by the fact that Allen, the Colts' coach the past six seasons, was coaching his final game for Wooster. Wooster finished the season with a 1-11 division record.
"It's just time," said Allen, confirming that he did not plan to return to the Colts bench next season for his 29th season as a prep basketball coach. "It's not at all because of the record - this is young team. I'm going to concentrate on coaching softball."
With only eight players dressed out for the game, Allen said it was inevitable that his team would be run into the ground by the Senators. He also said his team was no match for Carson on the boards.
"(Carson) controlled the boards with their size," Allen said. "They had a number of second shots because of their size."
Carson coach Tom Andreasen echoed Allen's assessment.
"Cody (Longero), Lee (Biddlecome), and Matt (Leck) really went after it tonight and rebounded well," Andreasen said. "We were just trying to play the first half intensely and build for next week."
In addition to their rebounding, the three players Andreasen noted also led the Senators in scoring. Longero scored 16, Biddlecome had 15 and Leck added nine points.
Andreasen said the team doesn't care where it plays Tuesday's playoff opener.
"It doesn't matter, both teams (Galena and McQueen) have great athletes," Andreasen said. "Both teams have tons of weapons."
Allen said Carson will be a factor in the playoffs.
"Talent-wise, Carson's got the athletes and the size," Allen said. "Mentally and emotionally, though, they've got to be prepared to play on the road."
Oh yeah, the guy in the polyester suit instead of a tuxedo - Carson senior B.G. Graber - was named the Carson High Winterfest King at the halftime of the basketball game. Kara Dickinson, wearing more traditional formal attire, was named Queen at the annual event.
Notes: Kevin Cote scored four points in his first game after a three-game absence due to a bout with mono Carson's six seniors - Biddlecome, Nick Zimmerman, Cote, Marc Liveratti, Schreiner, and Leck - were recognized before the game on "Senior Night."
