Bryson Frazer of Carpinteria attacks the rim against Bishop Diego’s Jason Price. Frazer scored 33 points, but Bishop Diego won the game, 67-61.
Carpinteria?s Bryson Frazer wanted to turn Friday?s basketball game into a track meet.
The school record holder in the 100 meters tore his way through Bishop Diego?s defense and scored 33 points. But it wasn?t enough as the Warriors couldn?t make up an early 19-point deficit and fell 67-61 on the final day of pool play at the Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic.
With its third win in the tournament, Bishop Diego (6-2) advances to the championship and will play defending champion San Marcos on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Carpinteria High?s gym.
San Marcos routed Channel Islands 72-21 to also go 3-0 in pool play.
The speedy Frazer energized the Warriors in the second quarter. He scored nine points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give them a shot of momentum going into the second half.
In the third quarter, he ignited a 13-2 run with a dazzling spin move for a basket. The surge pulled Carpinteria (4-4) to within seven at 49-42.
?When we got down (early in the game), he kind of took it upon himself for the last three quarters to take over the game for us,? Carpinteria coach Johnny Ward said of Frazer.
?He?s so fast and he can do so much that when (Bishop) struggled with matchups, he took advantage of it, settled down and started to play the way we expect him to play all year.
?Between Bryson, Rayshaun Moore and Omar Miranda, I got three very quick guards that can handle the ball, facilitate and even score on their own,? Ward continued. ?I want the ball to get to them, get up the floor and try to turn the tempo up a little bit because we have the ability.?
Bishop coach Dean Prophet said his team was impressed with Frazer?s speed.
?A couple of my guys said he?s the fastest guy they?d ever guarded. For a couple of our quick guys to say that, that?s a compliment to him,? Prophet said. ?He?s quick and gets his shot off quick.?
Bishop guard Peter Kwock, who?s pretty quick in his own right, gave props to Frazer.
?He was hot today, he was making his shots,? Kwock said. ?He?s a good player. You knew Carp wasn?t going to give up, especially in their environment. They were rallying and hit some shots, but we stayed strong, started hitting shots and finished strong.?
Even with all the excitement generated by Frazer, Bishop kept its composure and continued to play its game. They attacked the basket and hit the boards.
Thomas Lash of Bishop Diego scored 14 points.
Kwock drove the lane and scored and Thomas Lash cashed in an offensive rebound to give Bishop a 60-49 lead in the fourth quarter.
But Carpinteria kept battling. Duncan Gordon scored three straight baskets and Frazer converted a three-point play to make it 62-58.
Another basket by Frazer narrowed the deficit to 64-61. The Warriors then fouled Kwock and he missed the first of two free throws. Carpinteria called a time out, hoping to ice Kwock on the second free throw. The Bishop guard kept his focus and nailed it. He said he wasn?t about to let his team or his family down.
?I had my brother (Ben) yelling in my ear and my mom and dad are right there. I was like, ?I got to play like in the back yard and try to be as calm as I can, and breathe,?? he said. ? I?m just glad I made it.?
Carpinteria turned the ball over with 12 seconds left and Kwock hit two more free throws to end the game.
Kwock finished with 15 points. Will Busch was Bishop?s leading scorer with 17 points, while Thomas Lash added 14 points.
SAN MARCOS 72, CHANNEL ISLANDS 21
The Royals jumped out to a 20-0 lead and rolled to the pool play win. They?ll face Bishop Diego for the championship.
Eight players scored five or more points, led by Tyson Miller with 14 points on 7-for-7 shooting. Wes Ghan Gibson added 10 points and Bryce Ridenour had six assists, five steals and four blocks.
