Guard Kyle Steele hits a jump shot against North Valleys on Tuesday.
A key to Carson’s getting the top seed in this year’s playoff was its season sweep of Bishop Manogue.
It wasn’t easy though, as the games were decided by a total of 11 points, including a 49-45 double-overtime victory on Feb. 10.
And, Carson coach Carlos Mendeguia expects another tough game when the Sierra League rivals meet in the opening game of the regional semifinals tonight at 5:30 at Morse Burley Gym.
Spanish Springs and Galena will play at 7:15 p.m., and the winners from tonight’s games meet Saturday at 6 p.m. for the right to go to Las Vegas for the state tounament next Thursday at Orleans Arena.
“It’s never easy to beat the same team three times in the same season,” Mendeguia said after Tuesday’s win over North Valleys. “We know what we’re going to get with Manogue. The last time they went with a zone and we expected a man-to-man. We’ll be ready for both.
“We need to play patient basketball; do what we do. We have to take advantage of our opportunities when they are there.”
Camron Price has averaged 16.5 a game and Asa Carter 14.5 in the two victories. Tez Allen is at 10.5 and Jayden DeJoseph is at 6 a contest.
Kyle Steele threw down 10 points on Tuesday, including eight in the third quarter. If Manogue opts to go zone, Steele could loosen that up with a couple of 3-pointers.
“It’s huge,” Mendeguia said when asked about Steele’s performance on Tuesday. “He’s a very, very talented player. The point guard is your quarterback.”
And, for a team to be really successful, a quarterback has to run te team with a minimum of mistakes.
On the defensive side of the ball, Carson will be looking to shut down Derek Novsek, son of Nevada associate head coach, Doug Novsek.
The Manogue star is averaging 12.0 in the two losses to Carson. He’s expected to get a heavy dose of Carter tonight.
The biggest thing Carson defenders have to do is deny Novsek the ball above all else. He did get loose a couple of times in the second half of the double-overtime game.
Mendeguia said it’s hard for the players not to want to help on defense. If Carson can contain Novsek to 10 or 12 it has a great chance to win.
