San Marcos’ Bryce Ridenour was named tournament MVP.
Defending tournament champion San Marcos did it again on Saturday at Carpinteria High’s Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic. The Royals won the tournament title for the second year in a row by defeating Bishop Diego 54-43.
San Marcos was led in scoring by Elijah Johnson’s 19 points. Tournament MVP Bryce Ridenour contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists and five steals. Johnson was an all-tournament selection.
Bishop Diego trailed by 12 at halftime but rallied in the second half. The Cardinals cut the lead to two in the third quarter and saw leading scorer Nick Busch score 8 of his 12 points in the final quarter.
The Royals held on by making 16 free throws in the fourth quarter alone.
?Elijah Johnson made some big plays for us when Bishop closed the gap.?? He was well deserving of the all tournament team,” said Royals head coach Dave Odell.
San Marcos, now 8-2, returns to action next Friday at the National Prep Classic in Santa Maria. The Royals will open up against a team from Florida that features highly-touted prospect Zachariah Brown, a 7-foot-2, 250-pound behemoth. His size is incredible considering that he is just a high school freshman.
Bishop Diego’s next game is also on Dec. 27. The Cardinals will stay at home to compete in Santa Barbara High’s Holiday Classic.
HUENEME 57, LAGUNA BLANCA 50
Laguna Blanca saw a brief fourth-quarter lead slip away on Saturday as the Owls fell to Hueneme in the seventh-place game.
Laguna was down 46-39 before scoring eight straight points to take a 47-46 lead. Hueneme broke the run with two straight three pointers and never trailed again.
Jack Kinsler’s 18 points led the Owls. Spenser Wyatt added 15 and Andrew Vignolo collected 13 rebounds and three blocks.
