Freshman Elias Muñoz had a memorable high-school debut on Monday night, scoring 32 points to lead the youthful Bishop Diego boys basketball team to a 76-70 season-opening victory at Santa Ynez.
Cardinals coach Ray Vazquez started two freshman, two sophomores and a junior, and his team quickly fell behind 7-0. Then Andy Nevarez knocked down a three-pointer and Muñoz hit his first bucket to make it 7-5.
“You could just see us settle in right there,” said Vazquez, whose team is co-hosting the Bishop-Laguna Tournament this week and will have its home opener on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. against North County Christian.
Three other freshman — Sam Kwock, Paul Garcia and Brandon Gonzalez —
turned the ball over a conservative three times as the primary ball-handlers for the Cardinals (1-0). Senior Connor McGillivray put up 11 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
