by Charles Whisnand
The Carson High boys basketball team's growing pains were on display for much of the night. But when the Senators needed to the most, they were able to grow up in a hurry.
It's to be expected early in the season from a still pretty green Carson team, which was still able to pull out a 70-65 overtime win over Fallon on Tuesday at home. The Senators were able to pull out the win without two key players down the stretch - point guard Jeff Hurzel, who fouled out, and Brian Welch, who sat out with an ankle injury.
Without those two, Jason Alcasas and Kyle Bacon carried the burden for the Senators. After not scoring in the first half, Alcasas exploded for 22 of his 24 points in the second half and overtime while Bacon added 19 points.
"We showed a lot of immaturity out there," Carson coach Bruce Barnes said. "We're trying to be patient because we understand the immaturity we have on the floor. It's a growing process. We've got to be patient and it's hard sometimes."
It looked bleak when Hurzel fouled out and Carson trailed 60-56 with 28 seconds left. "When he's out we're in big trouble," said Barnes about Hurzel. "He plays so confident and he's playing so well right now."
But Alcasas took over, scoring on a drive through the lane to make it 60-58. Carson received a break when Fallon missed two free throws. Alcasas then took a pass from Bacon and drove for another basket as time ran out to force overtime.
"He's one of the best players in the league," said Barnes about Alcasas. "He's just got to play consistently to his strengths. If he does he's a tough matchup for people."
Carson trailed 62-60 when Alcasas scored on a putback and was fouled. he converted the three-point play to give the Senators a 62-60 lead. Bacon followed with a three-pointer to make it 66-63.
Carson put the game away when Bacon and Rory Wunsch each hit two free throws. Bacon was 6-of-7 from the line. After going 2-for-6 from the foul line in the first half, Alcasas hit all six of his free throws in the second half and overtime.
After going 0-for-5 from the line, Tsyoshi Curtis hit two key free throws in the fourth quarter. Carson finished 21-of-33 from the line.
Carson trailed 21-10 after one quarter, but closed to within 33-30 at halftime. "That three minute spurt at the end of the second quarter, that was the best we played in this game," Barnes said. "I don't think we played overly well in the second half."
Wunsch scored 14 points and Curtis added six points for Carson.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Carson held Fallon to four points in the second quarter to take charge en route to a 64-30 victory.
The Senators outscored the Greenwave 15-4 in the second period.
Royal Good and Jake Jeffers scored 12 points each while Jeremiah Teeter contributed eight points to lead Carson offensively.
The Senators improved their season record to 3-2. They return to action Thursday with a 5 p.m. game against Overland Park (Colo.) in the Carson Valley Classic. The game will be played at the Carson Valley Middle School.
