The Carson High girls basketball team came from behind for a win on the final day of the West Coast Holiday Classic on Wednesday in Southern California.
Carson came back to beat Frederick Douglas of Los Angeles 58-57 before having to turn around to face Southern California power Crescenta Valley to finish the tournament, losing 61-27.
Senator coach Nate Tolbert said he wanted his team to better represent the school and region after some struggles in the tournament and felt his team did that against Frederick Douglas. “I thought we represented well,” he said.
Carson trailed 58-56 with about 40 seconds left when Kayla Aikins scored to tie the game. Maddie Preston then made a free throw with eight seconds left and Carson went on to force a turnover for the final margin.
Preston scored 16 points, Michelle Perry had 12 points and Aikins added 10 points for Carson. “We really had a great, balanced attack,” Tolbert said. “That was a good thing to see.”
The Senators had to immediately turn around and play its sixth game in six days against Crescenta Valley. “We had no legs,” Tolbert said.
Despite being double teamed, Preston scored 11 points.
Aikins scored four points and Brianna Alvarado and Perry each added three points for Carson.
Tolbert also said Bailey Allen had an all-around strong effort in both games.
