Omar Miranda scored 24 points in the second half, and Carpinteria rallied from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter and defeated Laguna Blanca, 63-57, on Saturday in a pool play game at the Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic at Carpinteria High.
Spenser Wyatt of Laguna hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation time to send the game into overtime.
Miranda was benched in the first half for violating team rules. Once he entered the game, Carpinteria was a different team on offense.
Aaron Drain and Malcolm Gordon, meanwhile, played big on defense for the Warriors, chasing Wyatt around the court.
“My game plan was set to stop Wyatt and his shooting ability,” Carpinteria coach Johnny Ward said. (Drain and Gordon) allowed Miranda to push the ball and run our offense.
“I also had a great game out of Noah Reed who plays every position for us,” Ward added. “He has been stepping up for us every game and was filling the void at point guard today.”
Gordon scored 13 points.
Ward also lauded the inside and rebounding of Mason Picerni. “When he plays well inside, whether it is scoring or defense and rebounding, our team as a whole goes to another level,” said the coach.
Jose Espinosa scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds, and Phillip Fauntleroy added nine points to lead Laguna Blanca.
SANTA BARBARA 92, CABRILLO 60
The Dons broke open a close game in the third quarter by outscoring Cabrillo 31-5.
Chris Givens led Santa Barbara with 23 points, while Bolden Brace and Ben Brown added 12 points apiece. Five Dons scored in double figures. Matt Gilligan and Max Henderson each scored 10 points.
“The bench was instrumental in the win,” said assistant coach Joseph Bregante.
Santa Barbara completes pool play Monday at 4:30 p.m. against Nordhoff.
RIO MESA 67, BISHOP DIEGO 33
The Spartans’ full-court pressure created problems for Bishop, and the Cardinals never recovered from an early deficit.
Mitchell Cota led the Cardinals (3-7) with 8 points.
Bishop Diego plays San Marcos on Monday at 1:30 p.m.
SAN MARCOS 69, NIPOMO 30
Ryan McCarthy had the hot shooting touch for the Royals as he made 9 of 10 3-point shots en route to a game-high 30 points.
Freshman Jackson Stormo chipped in 9 points and 6 rebound for San Marcos.
