Three Laguna Blanca seniors combined for 49 points in Friday night’s must-win rivalry game against Cate, leading to a 62-48 boys basketball victory over the Rams at Merovick Gym.
Luther Tarver-Burks had 19, Connor Murphy had 16 and Jake Longstreth dropped in 14 for the Owls, who will have to win their final Condor League at home against Thacher next week to make the postseason.
The Owls led by just two at the half, but a defensive adjustments made the difference, according to coach Sal Rodriguez.
“The key was when we switched from man-to-man to a 2-3 zone. It shut them down,” he said. “Our seniors played really well for us and the gym was packed.”
Rodriguez also pointed to key six-point performances out of freshmen Spencer Mikles and Brandon Bichett. Cate was led by 15 points from Vladimir Vilsaint and 10 from Randy Person.
LAGUNA BLANCA 62, CATE 48
CATE – Greason 2, Sabel 6, Vilsaint 15, Person 10, Bradley 3, Ho 4, Mullan 6, Nwakke 2. Totals 15 6-16 48.
LAGUNA BLANCA – Mikles 6, Murphy 16, Tarver-Burks 19, Harmer 1, Bichett 6, Longstreth 14. Totals 21 11-17 62.
Cate….15 13 8 12
Laguna Blanca….10 20 14 16
3-point goals – C 3 (Vilsaint 2, Mellan 1), LB 3 (Murphy 2, Tarver-Burks 1).
Total fouls – C 22, LB 16
