Christian Mkpado became a legal adult on Wednesday, and he certainly had a man-sized game in the paint for the San Marcos basketball team.
The senior scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, doubling the point total of any other player in an offensively challenged 45-25 win at Santa Barbara High.
“I knew I was a lot bigger than most of the guys out there, so I just had to show it,” said Mkpado.
Johnny Manzo had 10 points for the Royals, who led 20-10 at halftime. Santa Barbara’s leading scorer was Brendan Fay, who dropped in six points. San Marcos threw numerous different defenses at the Dons, who couldn’t seem to get an easy shot the whole night.
“I think everybody was expecting something else. It’s certainly very, very disappointing,” said Dons coach Chris Hantgin. “Basically what we were talking about is getting back up. It wasn’t because we didn’t want to win and it’s not because we didn’t play hard.”
Santa Barbara’s student section certainly didn’t act like it was rooting for a team that is winless in the Channel League. The atmosphere was once again electric, as both schools’ student bodies were out in full force.
“I really do appreciate the fan support; it’s been great,” said Hantgin. “The fact that our kids are competing every time says a lot about their character and a lot about this school.”
Mkpado opened his night with an old-fashioned 3-point play that gave the Royals a 3-2 lead and they never trailed from that point forward. He had 12 of San Marcos’ 20 points heading into halftime. The Royals started the game in a man-to-man defense but switched to a zone as the night went on as the Dons couldn’t get into a rhythm.
“We just mixed it up a lot on them. I know that they have some young players and it’s difficult to try and make those adjustments in big games,” said Royals coach Jarrod Bradley. “That’s what we wanted to do is make it difficult for them offensively to get open looks.”
Santa Barbara (2-20, 0-10) plays at Dos Pueblos on Friday while San Marcos (16-8, 5-5) hosts Buena.
SAN MARCOS 45, SANTA BARBARA 25
San Marcos…11 9 8 17 — 45
Santa Barbara…6 4 4 11 — 25
SAN MARCOS — Manzo 10, Mkpado 20, Hempy 4, Ridenour 5, Vasquez 1, Jacobsen 1, Nahmias 4. Totals 16 12-19 45.
SANTA BARBARA — Fay 6, Aronson 2, Hale 4, Gonzalez 2, Marshall 4, Cohen 2. Totals 9 6-11 25.
3-point goals — SM 1 (Ridenour), SB 1 (Fay). Total fouls — SM 14, SB 19. Technicals — Marshall.
