Cate and Ventura came out running and gunning in their matchup at the Nordhoff Invitational, and the Rams came away with their third straight, 65-58, on Thursday.
“This shootout between the two teams was one for the ages,” said Cate coach Andy Gil. “This was one of the most exciting games I have been a part of at Cate, and the hot shooting on both sides in the first quarter set this up to be a thriller.”
Junior Tyler Martinez had a big game for Cate, scoring a career-high 20 points to lead three Rams in double figures.
“Tyler was stellar today,” said Gil. “Ventura is one of the biggest teams in the area and Tyler Martinez all night was guarding guys 3-4 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier and made them take bad shots, and did an incredible job on the boards.”
Babacar Pouye posted his third double-double of the season, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and Jengus Ercil finished with 19 points.
Encil and Pouye executed a pick-and-roll during a 17-8 second quarter, with Pouye finishing with a dunk.
“It was one of the best pick-and-roll dunks I have seen coaching,” said Gil.
He noted that the Rams limited Ventura’s 3-point shooting in the second quarter and held them to 8 points.
Cate led 38-26 at halftime.
Gil praised the defense of Peter Lehman, Marcus Scudder, Josh Butler, Daniel Lee, Marley Joseph, and Jack Higgins.
The Rams (3-0) are back in action on Friday against Fillmore.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Santa Barbara High girls basketball team couldn’t overcome a slow start and dropped a 68-30 decision to Orcutt Academy in an opening-round game at the Lompoc Tournament on Thursday.
The Dons (0-4) fell behind 16-2 in the first quarter and trailed 30-10 at halftime.
A high point in the game for Santa Barbara was the play of Miranda Dennis. She scored 15 points on 7 of 13 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and had three steals.
“Point guard Miranda Dennis played a solid last three quarters and handled Orcutt’s press well,” said coach Andrew Butcher.
Lompoc 56, Santa Ynez 30
Kylie LaPointe scored nine points and Helina Pecile had seven points and 10 rebounds for the Pirates in the Lompoc Tournament.
Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara meet on Friday.
GIRLS WATER POLO
Carpinteria outscored Foothill Tech 8-2 in the second period en route to a 14-4 girls water polo win on Thursday.
Ainslee Alexander paced the attack with five goals, while Lilli Nemetz and Giulia Piccoletti scored four goals apiece.
Goalie Erin Otsuki made 13 saves and had three steals.
Next week, the Warriors will be busy hosting Pacifica of Oxnard on Monday, playing at Buena on Tuesday and at Nordhoff for the first Citrus Coast League game.
BOYS SOCCER
Aiden Tapia scored on a penalty and a free kick to lead Santa Ynez to a 2-1 win over Lompoc on Friday night.