The Carson High boys basketball team couldn't take advantage of its chances at the foul line as the Senators dropped their final game in the Las Vegas Prep Classic, losing to Palos Verde of Southern California 58-43 on Thursday.
Carson (6-7) was 8-of-23 from the foul line, including 1-of-8 in the first half. The Senators trailed 32-20 at halftime. Palos Verde was 7-of-8 from the line.
"We were able to get the ball inside," Carson coach Bruce Barnes said. But after the Senators were fouled inside, they couldn't take advantage from the line and also missed numerous front ends of one-and-ones. "That was the biggest story of the game," Barnes said.
Steve Mandoki led Carson with 11 points. Kevin Brush was named to the all-tournament team for Carson, which next plays in its Sierra League opener at Hug a week from today.
GALENA 57, GILLETTE 56
Tristan Hill hit a three-pointer with 4.9 seconds left to give the Grizzlies the win over the tournament's host team, which is ranked second in Wyoming. The Grizzlies were able to rebound from a 79-61 loss to Oregon City, Ore., on Wednesday.
Galena coach Tom Maurer sent his team a message following that loss by benching many of his players in the first quarter against Gillette.
The Grizzlies set up a play that could have gone to Luke Babbitt to force overtime or to Hill for the win. After Brice Crook set the screen, Hill hit the game-winner.
"I was just excited with the fact that we held our composure," Maurer said. "We didn't lose our head."
Galena, though, still had to preserve the lead over the last 4.9 seconds. "I'm thinking all kinds of fun things," Maurer said. "It was the longest five seconds in the history of Wyoming basketball."
Gillette led 35-30 at halftime. Maurer said an improved defensive and rebounding effort in the second half were other keys to the win.
"We played 10 kids and everybody contributed," said Maurer, whose team had eight players score.
Babbitt scored 23 points and Hill added 11 points. Maurer also said playing in front of a packed crowd will help prepare it for tough road games down the road such as Elko.
The Grizzlies will play in the consolation title game today against Wyoming's No. 1 team, Cheyenne East. Cheyenne features James Johnson, a 6-6 junior, who is being recruited heavily by Nevada.
RANCHO CORDOVA 73, DOUGLAS 46
Douglas led by six points in the second quarter and still led 28-27 at halftime before host Rancho Cordova outscored the Tigers 46-18 in the second half in the Sacramento area tournament.
"If we didn't have to play two halves of basketball I'd be real happy," Douglas coach Rob Streeter said. "But unfortunately they make us play two halves.
"We played a real good first half, probably the best half of basketball all year. I'm extremely proud of our effort in the first half and extremely disappointed by our effort in the second half."
Rancho Cordova outscored Douglas 28-6 in the third quarter. Keith Olson scored 11 points and Joe Nady added seven points for the Tigers, who play in the third place game today against Amador Valley, Calif.
CARSON JV BOYS 58, MANOGUE 53
Paul Cagle had 19 points and seven rebounds, Caleb Carter had 13 points and nine rebounds, Zack Rispin scored seven points, Drew Good had six points and eight rebounds, Will Holbert had five points, Markus Adams had four points, Joe Laverdure had two points, Mitch Brantingham had one point and David Eller added eight rebounds in the win for the Carson junior varsity boys basketbal team at the State Farm Classic.
Good also helped lead the defensive effort. Carson will play at 1:40 p.m. today at Galena.
CARSON FROSH BOYS 67, DAMONTE RANCH 42
John Nuthall had a strong all-around game and Tyler Smith had a strong game on the boards as the Carson freshmen boys basketball team advanced to the consolation finals of the State Farm Classic. Carson will play at 10:40 a.m. today at Galena.
Nuthall had eight points, four rebounds, six assists, five steals and one block and Smith had five points and 18 rebounds. Matt Parmenter also played well defensively.
Also for Carson, Kyle Stone scored 15 points, Calvin Case had seven points, Blake Moreland and Jeff Butler each had six points, Wade Smith had five points, Steve Fowzer had four points and Tom Preston added three points.
CARSON JV GIRLS 44, DAMONTE RANCH 9
Christa Casci scored 20 points, Morgan Nuckols had six points and Erin Johanssen added five points in the win for the Carson junior varsity girls basketball team at the State Farm Classic. Carson concludes play in the tournament at noon today at Galena.
CARSON FROSH GIRLS 34, MANOGUE 19
Breanna Anderson scored eight points and Krista Mattice added six points in the win for the Carson freshmen girls basketball team.
