CLASSIC BOOSTS LANCERS TO ELITE STATUS
Carlsbad becomes fifth local team to win top level at Torrey tourney
Big-time players step up in big games.
In Saturday’s Torrey Pines Holiday Classic National Division final — the biggest game of the boys basketball season so far — Carlsbad High School saw all three of its stars play like champions.
Junior guard Jake Hall scored a game-high 27 points — 10 in the fourth quarter — as the Lancers (14-2) put away Faith Family from Dallas, 78-69.
The Lancers became only the fifth San Diego County team to capture the National Division championship, joining Foothills Christian (2016), Steele Canyon (2004), El Camino (2002) and Carlsbad (2001). The tournament is in its 33rd year.
Jael Martin, a 6-foot-9 senior who has signed with Pepperdine, played in the land of Faith Family’s giants and finished with 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks. He also connected on a crushing 3pointer in the fourth quarter,
Senior Tony Duckett scored 18 points and had five rebounds.
Hall was named the National Division’s Nick Herrmann MVP. Herrmann was an All-CIF guard for Torrey Pines, who tragically passed away at age 21 after a battle with cancer.
Duckett made the all-tournament team.
“We had a great plan, but we also had to hit shots,” said Hall. “This tournament is super competitive, four days of playing great teams.
“Honestly, winning this tournament was one of our preseason goals. That’s how important it is. What it really came down to was our big (Martin) against their bigs.”
While Martin’s stats weren’t eye-popping, he was a strong presence inside.
“I had to find a way to help my team,” Martin said. “Their guys were good, really good, so I tried to use my versatility.
“I had to stay out of foul trouble, jump straight up, box out, anticipate. And, most of all, keep my cool.”
Strong San Diego showing
The four San Diego teams in the 16-team National Division — Carlsbad, Montgomery, St. Augustine and host Torrey Pines — went a combined 11-5. Carlsbad won it all. St. Augustine went 3-1, beating San Jose Archbishop Mitty in the thirdplace game. Montgomery and Torrey Pines were both 2-2.
“The best showing by our San Diego teams in a long, long time,” said Torrey Pines coach John Olive, who is also the tournament director.
La Costa Canyon (11-3) won the Senator’s Division, beating Walnut Creek Northgate, College Park (Texas), Prescott (Ariz.) and Long Beach St. An
thony. The Mavericks’ four opponents in the tournament have a combined 51-15 record. Drew Clevenger of LCC was named the division’s Nick Herrmann MVP. LCC has won 10 games in a row.
Santa Fe Christian (9-5) lost to Danville Monte Vista in the championship game of the Governor’s Division and La Jolla Country Day finished third. Chris Carrillo of LJCD was named to the all-tournament team.
Torrey tournament notes
USD fans have something to look forward to. Gavin Ripp, a dynamic 6-8 player who has verbally committed to the Toreros, played well for Archbishop Mitty.
• Carlsbad coach Clark Allard played at Mitty and Olive coached Mitty coach Tim Kennedy
• Sebastian Rancik , a 6-9 forward from JSerra has committed to Colorado, as has
Doryan Onwuchekwa of Faith Family.
• Torrey Pines is 12-4 despite losing Karel Novy and
Zander Ovies to injuries before the start of the season.
Elsewhere
Mission Hills went 7-1 over the holidays, winning the 37th Holiday Hoops Classic at Mt. Carmel. The Grizzlies beat Maranatha Christian, Cerritos, Mt. Carmel and Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills to win it.
• Hoover went 7-2 over the holidays and won the Frank Pekerek Sweetwater Host Lions Club Tournament. Senior guard Amanuel Tesfahungen led the way.
• Olympian has sprinted to a 12-0 start.