Carpinteria bounced back from a heartbreaking morning loss with a 69-62 afternoon win over Thacher on Saturday at the Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic.
The Warriors fell to Santa Maria, 80-78, in their morning game. Justin Gutierrez made a layup at the buzzer to win the game for the Saints.
Their 2-1 record sets a third-place battle with rival Bishop Diego on Monday at noon at Carpinteria’s gym.
Santa Maria will play Atascadero in the championship game at 1:30 p.m.
Four players scored in double figures for Carpinteria in the fast-paced game with Santa Maria. Dylan O’Neill had a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, Mateo Handall scored 15 points, Luke Nakasone 14 and Gabe Medel 10. Ian Reed added eight points.
O’Neill led the way in the win against Thacher with 23 points, while Nakasone and Handall had 18 and 17 points, respectively. Reed dished out nine assists and grabbed five rebounds.
Saturday’s Scores (Pool Play)
Bishop Diego 68, Hueneme 46
Atascadero 68, Grace Brethren 38
Thacher 58, Foothill Tech 41
Atascadero 49, Hueneme 40
Bishop Diego 65, Grace Brethren 39
Santa Maria 67, Foothill Tech 65
Monday’s Game Schedule
9 a.m. — Foothill Tech vs. Grace Brethren
10:30 — Thacher vs. Hueneme
12 p.m. — (3rd place game) Carpinteria vs. Bishop Diego
1:30 p.m — (Championship) Santa Maria vs. Atascadero