Santa Barbara High boys basketball earned its first win of the season with an 80-70 victory over Liberty of Bakersfield on Thursday in the Valley Children’s Tip-Off Invitational.
“It was a very physical, intense game, but we persevered and got the win,” Dons head coach Greg Zuffelato said. “We came out ready to play and got the lead early and never gave it up.”
Santa Barbara High led 24-14 after the first quarter and fended off multiple comeback efforts down the stretch. Liberty committed 26 fouls in the fourth quarter, and the Dons held on for the win.
“I was proud of our young team,” Zuffelato said. “They kept their cool and just kept playing through all the fouls and physical play. Kash Ridgell did a fantastic job finishing the game by handling the ball and knocking down four free throws at the end of the game.”
Brent Sharpton dropped 17 points to lead the Dons, while Blake Lee closely followed with 16.
Santa Barbara High (1-3) will take on tournament host Clovis North on Friday at 6 p.m. in the semifinals.
Carpinteria High 54, Villanova Prep 38
The Warriors pulled out a strong win over Villanova Prep on Thursday.
“The Warriors went in understanding that defense would be the key to beating this team, and tonight they held nothing back, deflecting passes and rotating to build an impenetrable wall,” Carpinteria High head coach Terrell Griffin said.
In fact, Carpinteria held Villanova Prep to just 15 points in the first half to build up an early lead and soar to the win.
Oscar De Leon led the Warriors with 20 points, while Sammy Medel efficiently ran the offense from the point guard position.
Carpinteria High will take on Grace of Simi Valley on Friday.