For the first time this season, Carlmont (11-1) outsized its opponent. The Scots used this size advantage to hold off a Jefferson (2-10) upset bid, outscoring the Indians by 11 in the fourth quarter and cruising to a 59-42 victory in the final game of non-league.
The game was a tale of two halves. After a tournament victory in San Diego and only a few days of practice, Carlmont started sluggishly and found itself down 20-19 at halftime.
Although the Indians were small, they were quick. Jefferson’s first half energy kept the game close, as all five starters contributed at both ends of the court.
“Carlmont is a great team proving they’re at the top of the South Division, and for us to be up at half was a huge accomplishment for our guys,” said Jefferson coach Nick Paras.
When the second half started, however, Carlmont did not back down. Only 14 seconds into the third quarter, senior forward Yash Malik glided his way through three defenders and scored a fancy reverse layup from under the hoop. The score put the Scots back on top, 21-20, and they held the lead for the remainder of the game.
“The energy really picked up in the second half,” said Carlmont coach David Low, “Going into the game we knew we had a size advantage for the first time, so we started getting inside and driving to the hoop more often and made some easy buckets.”
Leading by just six points heading into the fourth quarter, the Scots were still unsatisfied with their performance, and in the fourth quarter they found their answer in junior guard Michael Costello.
After a quiet first three quarters in which he only scored seven points, the second-year varsity player made 7-of-7 from the field, including two three-pointers in the fourth.
“At halftime I was angry. I really wanted to prove to myself I could make my shots and I finally got my game back in the fourth quarter,” said Costello.
Costello’s 14-point fourth quarter ignited Carlmont’s offense, at which point the defense took care of business and the victory was sealed.
The win was a good way to end the non-league for the Scots, who open PAL-South league play at 6 pm Wednesday at home against Capuchino.
“Come Wednesday everybody’s 0-0. We cannot come out with a lack of desire to start the game. Our defense has to be solid like it has been, but we need to limit second opportunities and that’s the main focus,” said Low.
Jefferson looks forward to a clean slate heading into PAL-North league play after a sub-.500 non-league as it hosts Terra Nova at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
