Welch helps Carson get past Panthers in OT
Dave Price
Free throws and momentum were the difference Tuesday night when the Carson and North Valleys boys basketball teams battled into overtime.
Carson knocked down 29 free throws and Brian Welch helped the Senators establish some momentum early in the extra period en route to an important 83-77 Sierra League victory at home against North Valleys.
Welch scored seven of his 18 points in overtime, including a pivotal three-point play that put the Senators (4-4 league, 12-11 overall) ahead to stay at Morse Burley Gymnasium
The game went back and forth most of the way, including 15 lead changes in the second half.
North Valleys (2-7, 8-16) appeared to have the momentum at the end of regulation after Bryan Coursey buried an off-balance 3-pointer from top of the key, well beyond the arc, to tie the score at 70-70. The Panthers also led twice in overtime, but the Senators found a way to come back.
"When a guy hits a shot like that, it's kind of a back breaker," Carson coach Bruce Barnes said, referring to Coursey's 3-pointer. "When a team hits a shot like that, they're on a high and sometimes, if you don't respond right away, it can get away from you. Fortunately, we were able to re-establish our momentum in the overtime."
The Senators shot 7-for-12 from the free throw line in overtime and finished 29-for-48 overall. On the other hand, North Valleys shot 9-for-15 from the line.
Jason Alcasas shot 8-for-8 from the line and finished with a game-high 22 points for Carson. Welch scored 18 (6-for-7 from the line) to go with 10 rebounds and four assists.
"This is the best all-around game Brian's played all season," Barnes said of the 5-foot-11 power forward. "He's been coming along and shooting the ball better lately."
After Coursey hit an outside jumper to give North Valleys a 72-70 lead at the outset of overtime, Carson answered when Rory Wunsch fed an inside pass to Welch for a layup.
Tim Wholey sank two free throws to put the Panthers on top 74-73. Then Welch took the ball on the left side and drove between two defenders for a layup, drawing a foul in the process. Welch added the free throw to put Carson on top 76-74 with 1:02 remaining.
Alcasas took a charge on the defensive end, then Kyle Bacon took a pass from Welch and drove for a layup to extend Carson's lead to 78-74. After Wholey connected on a 3-pointer for North Valleys, Welch answered with two free throws to make it 81-77 with 22.9 seconds left.
Welch blocked a 3-point shot attempt moments later to all but seal the win for Carson.
Tsuyoshi Curtis turned in a solid performance for the Senators with 11 points and four assists. Wunsch contributed nine points and Bacon eight to Carson's balanced offense. And Adam Houghton had seven points, including two driving layups during a 12-4 run that gave the Senators a 63-57 lead late in the fourth quarter.
North Valleys was led by 6-7 senior Scott Rosa with 17 points, while Wholey added 15 and Coursey 13.
The win enabled Carson to strengthen its hold on fourth-place in the Sierra League
Not only did the Senators gain some redemption for a 62-55 loss at North Valleys on Jan. 16, they strengthened their hold on fourth-place in league. The top four finishers qualify for the Northern 4A Regional Tournament later this month.
"This was one we needed to have," Barnes said. "We're still in the hunt. Our primary goal is to get to the playoffs - then we can go from there."
JUNIOR VARSITY
Royal Good had 19 points and nine of the team's 12 players scored as the Carson J.V. boys defeated North Valleys 50-38.
The Senators improved their league record to 6-2.
