Carter leads Cutter-Morning Star

CUTTER-MORNING STAR 52, BAY 48

MANSFIELD — Cutter-Morning Star senior guard Jalen Carter didn’t score much in the first half.

That changed after the break in a big way to help swing the momentum of a back-and-forth contest.

Carter scored a teamhigh 20 points, including 18 points after halftime, to lead Cutter-Morning Star past Bay 52-48 on Thursday in a firstround matchup at the Class 2A boys state tournament.

“I was thinking too hard in that first half,” Carter said. “I had to slow down after that. We had to get the jitters out early and get going to play our basketball. You never look back and keep going after winning the first one at the state tournament.”

Cutter-Morning Star (286) Coach Beau Brickell said he knew it was only a matter of time before Carter found his groove. Carter scored nine points in each of the third and fourth quarters to take over.

“I think there were some nerves with some timidness,” Brickell said. “But when he got out in transition and when he does that he is playing his best basketball. That got him in a rhythm and got him playing free. He did a great job. I think it’s one of those situations when the best player on the floor decides to be the best player on the floor.”

Bay jumped out to an early 16-8 lead after the first quarter. The Yellowjackets were ahead 28-26 at halftime after a near full-court shot made by Justin Brannen. Bay was again ahead 42-40 entering the fourth quarter.

Bay (27-16) was led by Kaden Hartley’s 21 points, while Brannen added 16 points.

Outside of Carter’s contributions, Ahmod Davis and Garner Thorton each scored 12 points for the Eagles.

“We’ve said from day one that this would always be a team effort,” Brickell said. “We don’t have to have one guy go out there and do it all. It can happen and that’s great. But this is a team and all the puzzle pieces fit. This group just wants to win and is unselfish.”

MARSHALL 58, RIVERSIDE 56

Payton DePriest scored a team-high 22 points including 14 points in the first quarter and the No. 3 seed Bobcats held on late in a first-round matchup over No. 2 seed Riverside.

Marshall (27-9) raced out to a 36-24 lead at halftime and was ahead 50-35 after three quarters.

Riverside knocked the deficit down to 55-54 in the final moments, but Marshall held on.

Riverside (29-11) was led by 18 points from Cash Gillis. Grayson Taylor had 15 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, and Brayeson Timms added 12.

EAST POINSETT COUNTY 61, JUNCTION CITY 40

Behind a team-high 21 points from Dennis Gaines, the Warriors rolled in a quarterfinals matchup.

Jacob Gaines had 12 points and Tyrus Reel 10 for EPC (20-11).

Junction City (19-9) was led by 11 points from Lamontra Hankton.