Sharks shake Carpinteria in OT

Carpinteria’s boys basketball team played its first game without one of its two leading Warriors on Wednesday, but showed it had plenty of fight left after a 55-50 overtime loss to Malibu.

The decision makes both teams 1-1 in Tri-Valley League play.

The Warriors outscored the Sharks 17-7 in the fourth quarter to force overtime, coming up short after connecting on only 6-of-14 foul shots.

The Warriors learned earlier that senior point guard Kevin Lusterio is out for the season after injuring his knee on Friday.

“It’s heartbreaking for Kevin,” said head coach John Ward, adding that he’s sure Lusterio’s basketball career isn’t over because he’s good enough to play at the collegiate level next year.

“Obviously we miss Kevin but the other kids really stepped up.”

Carpinteria’s other senior leader was there and couldn’t be stopped even with the added attention.

Manny Rodriguez tallied a game-high 30 points to go with 19 rebounds.

“Even though everyone in the world knows to stop him,” Ward said. “The kid has done everything and beyond.”

Malibu benefited from three players in double-digit scoring, led by Ben Rotman and Kyle Sandler with 18 apiece.

The Sharks’ leading scorer, Chandler Abbott, was held to four points.

Trevor Madden spent some time holding down Abbott and recorded seven points, six rebounds and four assists in the process. Daniel Babineaux finished with a season-high eight points.

“We played well enough to win,” Ward thought. “I’m really proud of them.”

Carpinteria (10-5) travels to Oak Park on Friday.

MALIBU55, CARPINTERIA 50, OT

MALIBU –  Rotman 18, Apstein 10, Abbott 4 9averaging 18 points),  tyler 2, Sandler 18, Flores 2, Thomas 1. Totals – 22, 4-8, 55

CARPINTERIA – Babineaux 8, Garcia 2, Madden 7, Saenz 3, Rodriguez 30. Totals – 21, 6-14, 50

Malibu 17 12 11  7 (8) – 55

Carpinteria 12 9 9 17 (3) – 50

3-ptrs – M 7 (Rottman 3, Sandler 4), C 2 (Madden, Rodriguez) Total Fouls – M 13, C 14. Foul Outs – None.  Records – C 10-5, 1-1, M 7-10, 1-1