It's still way too early, especially since 15 of the 20 basketball games for the Carey School boys' varsity squad come after Christmas this year. One thing is certain, though. The Panthers are deep and can score.
Coach Dick Simpson's Panthers (2-0, 0-0) showed it Friday in their home opener. Carey spotted visiting Hagerman a 34-34 halftime tie and then went to the races after halftime for a 72-53 runaway victory.
Ten different Panthers put the ball in the bucket and Carey (73% free throw shooting) outscored Hagerman 22-13 at the charity stripe. Carey shot 38% from the field overall.
Carey (73.5 ppg) hammered the boards hard, tightened up on defense after intermission and gave ninth-year coach Simpson his 175th triumph at the Panther helm. The Panthers held a 38-16 board edge.
Not a bad result against a well-coached Hagerman team that went 23-5 last year and placed third in the State 1A Division 1 tourney, while Carey (21-6) won the State 1A Division 2 consolation title.
Brett Adamson (22 points, 3 assists) led the Panthers and Trevor Peck, another senior, added 18 points plus 7 boards.
Other Panthers: Jacy Baird 9 points and 6 rebounds; Wacey Barg 7 points and 4 boards; Dillon Simpson 5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 steals; Joey Laidlaw 4 points; Tyler Chavez 2 points and 2 rebounds; Blair Peck 2 points and 4 boards; Shane Bingham 2 points and 4 rebounds; and Brandon Dilworth 1 more point for Carey.
Dylan Brooks (20 points) drilled two 3-pointers for Kevin Cato's Pirates, who went 6-for-22 (27%) from 3-point range.
Carey hosted Camas County of Fairfield Tuesday and will visit Butte County in Arco Thursday, Dec. 10. Butte County (1-1) won 59-22 over Valley at Hazelton Saturday night. Then, Carey hosts reigning Northside Conference king Richfield (2-0) Friday, Dec. 18.
In another game, defending State 1A Division 2 champion Mackay (1-0) debuted with a 62-48 home win over Leadore Saturday behind 29 points by senior Kole Krosch. Three Miners scored in double figures.
Coach Dick Simpson diagrams a play for his Carey High School boys’ varsity basketball team in early-season action. Photo by David N. Seelig
