For the week of December 17 - 23, 2003

Carey upsets Vikings
64-61 in overtime

Panthers win tournament over Valley

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In his wildest dreams, Carey School boys’ varsity basketball coach Dick Simpson probably didn’t think that his 1A Panthers would go down to the tough Murtaugh gym and win a tournament over a ranked 2A team.

But that’s what happened Saturday night as underdog Carey squandered early several leads, rallied to tie the game 55-55 after regulation time and went on to beat #7-ranked Idaho 2A team Valley 64-61 in overtime.

Action took place in the championship game of the four-team Murtaugh tournament. "I was really surprised we beat Valley. It was a good win for us," said Simpson.

Carey had raced past Murtaugh 80-47 and Valley had nipped Cole Valley Christian 69-66 in Friday night’s openers to set up the finale. In Saturday’s consolation game, Cole Valley was a 63-48 winner over Murtaugh.

A well-balanced scoring attack and some excellent defensive play guided Carey in both victories last weekend.

Five Carey players scored in double figures Friday against Murtaugh led by senior guard K.C. Rivera (18 points, 6 rebounds, 7 steals) and Tadd Green (17 points, 5 rebounds). The Panthers out-rebounded the Red Devils 34-26 and came up with 13 steals.

It was close, Carey leading 35-30 at intermission, but the quicker Panthers outscored the Red Devils 18-8 in the third and 25-9 in the fourth. "Murtaugh pressed us right up until the end in the second half and we got some easy buckets," said coach Simpson.

Carey shot the ball well, 26-for-42 from two-point range (62%) and 5-for-15 from 3-point territory (33%). For the season Carey has 32 3-pointers in five games—Ty Simmons and Tyler Cook with 15 apiece to lead the way.

Against Valley, Carey used a zone defense that took away some of the penetration the Vikings had shown Friday against Cole Valley. The Panthers always had someone in the face of Valley shooting stud Michael Grant, who ended up with 27 anyway.

The Vikings, down 15-7 at the break and 35-30 at half, went on a run and built a 13-point lead in the second half. At that point the Panthers switched over to a man-to-man defense and came up with some timely steals.

"We stole the ball three times, made a couple of 3-pointers (sophs Tyler Cook and Devin Simpson) and tied it up when Ty Simmons made a basket," said coach Simpson.

In the four-minute overtime, Simmons also made three free throws and 6-2 sophomore Tadd Green came on strong with 5 points. Devin Simpson’s free throw restored Carey’s three-point lead—and the Panthers guarded Grant well in two potential game-tying shots.

Coach Simpson said, "You know I look at that game film and wonder how we ever won, but we did. Valley had some critical turnovers and we made the most of our opportunities."

Simmons (20.4 ppg) had a huge game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 5 assists. He made the most of a good match-up against 6-2 Valley senior Grant, who averaged 27.0 ppg for the two-game tournament.

Coach Simpson said, "There was a point where Grant had three personals so we moved Ty inside—and he made a couple of good little fade-away jumpers and Grant picked up his fourth. Valley moved Grant away from Ty then."

Green had 16 points and 8 rebounds, Rivera 8 points and 5 boards before fouling out, Surerus 8 points and 5 rebounds, Cook 8 points and 2 steals, Simpson 4 points and 5 boards.

The Panthers (4-1, 68.0 ppg) open their Northside Conference schedule this week with two games that coach Simpson said will be tough ones for his team—Camas County at home Thursday, and The Community School in Sun Valley on Friday night.

"Camas always plays us tough. And it’s going to be real tough at The Community School’s house," he said.

Carey is currently ranked fourth behind Notus, Horseshoe Bend and Cascade, while The Community School is ranked eighth, in the Idahosports.com poll of 1A schools.

Recent stats:

Carey 80-47 over Murtaugh: K.C. Rivera 18 points, Tadd Green 17, Tyler Cook 15, Ty Simmons 14, Blake Surerus 13. Rebounds (34)—Simmons 7, Rivera 6, Surerus 6, Green 5, Devin Simpson 5, Cook 4. Steals (13)—Rivera 7.

Carey 64-61 (OT) over Valley: Ty Simmons 20 points, Tadd Green 16, K.C. Rivera 8, Blake Surerus 8, Tyler Cook 8, Devin Simpson 4. Rebounds—Simmons 10, Green 8, Surerus 5, Rivera 5, Simpson 5. Steals—Simmons 2, Cook 2. Assists—Simmons 5.

 

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