They beat Richfield by nine points and also kept their unbeaten home record intact.
In a critical post-holiday stretch of games, the Carey School boys' varsity basketball team made a statement last with three wins—two at home and another 65-56 at the home of defending Northside Conference champion Richfield.
Carey (11-1, 5-0 home, 5-0 league) upheld its top ranking in the Idahosports.com 1A prep boys' basketball poll, standing ahead of Notus (9-0), Cascade (8-0) and Nezperce (9-0).
The Panthers (62.8 ppg offense, 43.4 ppg defense) won three straight games with tough defense and balanced scoring, led by seniors Tadd Green (16.5 ppg) and Tyler Cook (18.2 ppg, 41 3-pointers).
Green (12 rebounds) scored 17 points and Cook (6 boards, 3 steals) added 14 at Richfield Friday. The Panthers outscored the Tigers 27-15 in the middle quarters and held on for the 65-56 win. Carey was sharp—out-rebounding Richfield 38-23 and shooting 43% from the field.
Richfield (8-3, 3-1) made a run with a 27-point fourth quarter but Carey kept pace and stayed ahead after leading 43-29 after three periods in the Tiger den.
Cody Baird (4 assists, 2 steals) chipped in a season-best 12 points on 3-for-6 shooting and 6-for-11 at the line.
Other Panthers doing well were Allen Peck (9 points), D.J. Simpson (5 points, 4 assists), Bryan Hill (4 points), James Carlson (2 points) and Devin Simpson (2 points, 4 assists, 2 steals). Leading Richfield (8-2, 3-1) were Shayne Buckner (20 points) and Harlie Amy (16 points, 15 boards).
Saturday night the Panthers jump-started their 49-31 home non-conference victory over the Oakley Hornets with a 16-3 run in the second quarter. Nine Carey players scored including junior Brad Hunt, who has returned from a knee injury.
Cook (13 points including three 3-pointers, 8 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals) led Carey's all-around effort as the Panthers cleaned up on the glass again, out-rebounding Oakley 38-26.
Others were Green (12 points, 3 assists), Peck (8 points, 7 boards, 3 steals), D.J. Simpson (4 points), Devin Simpson (4 points, 6 boards) plus two points apiece by Hunt, Hill, Carlson and Baird.
Carey, shooting 40% from two-point range and 33% from the arc for the season, also beat Bliss 51-29 last Tuesday.
Coach Dick Simpson's Panthers play at Hansen (5-5, 4-1 Southside Conference) on Saturday, Jan. 14 then entertain Shoshone Monday—starting a stretch of four of the final seven Panther games at home.
