SARATOGA, Calif. — As Jacob Kuverji goes, so go the Leland Chargers.
After his team fell into an early 10-point hole, the 6-foot-3 senior took over Wednesday night’s game, dominating in the post to power Leland to a 51-42 victory over host Prospect on the opening night of the 17th Panther Invitational.
He scored 11 of his game-high 20 points in a dominant 21-8 second quarter that the Chargers used to take a double-digit lead into halftime, and Leland (4-0) slowed down the pace in the second half to remain unbeaten on the season.
“He’s strong and physical, and he’s a great passer,” Leland head coach Drew Petiti said of Kuverji.
With extra attention given to Dylan Schweighardt after three early 3-pointers, Kuverji had the lane all to himself in the second quarter. He scored six straight points to give the Chargers a 25-22 lead and got the final five points of the half, including an and-1 off one of Kevin Gui’s four assists. Kuverji also grabbed four of his 11 rebounds in the second quarter.
Kuverji also ensured Prospect (4-4) could only score from the outside, controlling the glass and altering shots throughout the affair. Edan Sasson hit a trio of first quarter 3-pointers to help the hosts out to early leads of 12-2 and 18-10, but when the Panthers cooled off, they had no alternatives in the paint.
Even Nate Lewit, who drew three fouls in the first quarter and went 10-for-10 on free throws for the hosts, was limited for the remainder of the game. He finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and a game-high six assists, but Kuverji’s presence stagnated Prospect’s offense after a hot start. Ben Donko’s 3-pointer to cut the lead to 40-33 in the third quarter was the only made 3-pointer for the hosts after the first eight minutes.
Gui and Schweighardt each finished with nine points, while Nick Ames, still making the transition from football, finished with six points and four rebounds off the bench. Sasson finished with nine points for Prospect, all in the first quarter.
Sobrato 51, San Mateo 29
The Sobrato Bulldogs allowed just eight points in the first half and 15 across the first three quarters in a dominant 51-29 win over the San Mateo Bearcats to open the 17th Prospect Panther Invitational.
Sobrato (4-1) allowed just a single basket in the opening eight minutes and led 46-15 after three quarters before calling off the press, riding a balanced attack to victory. The Bulldogs got 12 points from 6-foot-7 junior forward Ethan Marmie, who hit a pair of 3-pointers, and 11 points apiece from Marc DiFrancesco and Jayden Fowler. DiFrancesco also had a game-high eight rebounds, and Michael Chambers scored nine. Joey Salvail scored 11 to lead San Mateo (4-3).
Thursday’s schedule
Sobrato vs. Leland, 6 p.m.
San Mateo @ Prospect, 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s schedule
Leland vs. San Mateo, 6 p.m.
Sobrato @ Prospect, 7:30 p.m.
