Garces upends Liberty for Div. II basketball title
| Saturday, Mar 07 2009 02:34 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 12:59 PM
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Stephon Carter took over the game in the second half and finished with a game-high 33 points. Liberty's Calen Coleman, left, had 20.
Randall Jackson of Garces and Jeff Hicks of Liberty go all out for a loose ball in the first half Friday in Fresno.
Liberty's Westin Hill, left, consoles his teammate Calen Coleman following the Divison II Central Section championship loss to Garces. The two players had great games, with Coleman scoring 20 and Hill 16.
Garces' Stephon Carter celebrates the Rams' section title victory over Liberty in Fresno on Friday with fans.
FRESNO -- The biggest question Friday was the status of Stephon Carter's left hand.
The senior Garces wing injured it late in the CIF Central Section Division II semifinals against Lemoore earlier this week, and it was severely swollen Thursday and Friday.
But Carter wasn't going to miss the Central Section Division II championship game against top-seeded Liberty, and he turned in a monster game -- to the tune of 33 points, 19 rebounds, four steals and four assists.
That triggered a 91-78 Rams' win at Selland Arena, Garces' third straight section title, the fourth in five years and the 10th overall for boys basketball in school history.
The Rams, who were 0-3 vs. Liberty this season before Friday, led 27-9 at the end of the first quarter and 30-11 early in the second quarter.
Garces (22-7) had a team-wide solid effort. Senior guard Ryan Bush had 23 points, six assists and four steals, with 10 points in the first quarter.
"Ryan's first quarter was amazing," said Garces coach Gino Lacava. "A lot of people don't realize Ryan sucked the defender away from Stephon. People don't realize how much he meant to us winning this game."
"We knew it was important to get off to a good start," Bush said. "Liberty played hard all game."
Bush said he was stunned by the Rams overpowering start.
"I had no clue we'd go up 18," he said. "I thought it would be close all the way. But I knew if we gave 100 percent we'd come out with the win."
Liberty had 11 first-quarter turnovers, but only one in the second quarter. The Patriots also hit 9-of-15 shots over the final 6:14 of the second quarter to get back into it.
Garces led 37-34 at halftime, and the Patriots pulled within 37-36 on their first possession of the third quarter. Liberty had two chances to take the lead but missed two 3-pointers. Garces gained some momentum back and extended its lead after that.
"Our poise and our perseverance has been our story all year," said Liberty coach Andy Hicks. "We didn't panic. We battled. We had to battle through foul trouble. Garces really hurt us with offensive rebounds and their put-backs."
Garces had a 45-38 rebounding edge with 17 offensive rebounds. Three Liberty players fouled out and two others had four fouls when the game ended.
It came down to the fourth quarter, and Carter was dominant, scoring 14 of his points and collecting all four of his assists in the quarter that kept Liberty from challenging.
He said he iced his left hand for five hours on Thursday and five hours on Friday. That reduced the swelling, but it was still swollen after the game.
"It was painful, but adrenaline kicked in and I forgot all about it," Carter said. "I'll have it X-rayed after the season. I want to wait until everything is over."
The Rams will host a first-round Southern California playoff game, probably on Tuesday, while Liberty (26-4) will travel for a first-round playoff game.
Chris Dixon had 17 points and Randall Jackson had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Garces. Liberty had 20 points and nine rebounds by Calen Coleman and 16 points each by Westin Hill and point guard Sam Marcus, who also had six assists.
