Overview:
Cardinals can't hold halftime lead against strong Highlander team
Bishop Diego High School fell just short at the end of a long stretch of boys basketball games, losing 66-61 to Royal on Thursday.
The Cardinals, playing their sixth game in seven days, took a 30-24 lead into halftime on “great defense and even better ball movement,” coach James Coronado said.
The Highlanders out-scored Bishop 21-11 in the third quarter, however, before continuing on to their victory.
Lui Fernandez led the Cardinals with 21 points. Bryan Trejo scored 11 while Isaac Veal added nine.
“My hat goes off to my guys,” Coronado said. “We had a tough stretch of games culminating with our toughest opponent on the last day of the week, and this was one of our best-played games, team wise.
“We were working great together on defense and offense. We were only one, two plays away from winning this game, and that was a great team over there.”
Drew Romano led Royal with 17 points.
Coronado said the Cardinals responded well to the physicalness of the game.
“We weren’t looking for fouls but rather dished out some punishment, as well, which is what we need to do at this level,” Coronado said.