SoCalHoops High School News

Jason Day: Carson v. St. Bernards
Game Report--(Jan. 11, 1998)

Our friend and correspondent Jason Day and his photographer friend, Larry Gray, who also coaches the UltraStudentAthletes' club AAU teams, wandered over to St. Bernard's last Thursday night to see their game against Carson.  And from what we can tell, it was one heck of a game. Here's Jason's story, along with Larry's photos.  Of course, Jason's articles are always available as well at UltraStudentAthletes Online. 

CARSON DEFEATS ST. BERNARDS 63-50

by Jason Day
photos by Larry Gray

I bounced on over to St. Bernard's High last night to catch their matchup against Carson High. Those of us over here at USA Basketball have a vested interest in these two schools since we have players attending and playing for both.

While neither team is a local "powerhouse", both have some very talented players. Carson is fresh from a second place finish at the Covina tournament.  All observers reported that they played some strong ball out there. St. Bernard's is having an up and down early season, but as I just said, they've got some talent and should win their share of games this season.

Duncantel for 2 of his game high 26. He had 17 in the 1st half.

"The Man" for Carson thus far this year has been SR Maques Duncantel. He plays the post positions, but is also very effective getting to the basket from the wing. He had a 37 pt. game at the Covina event, and went for 26 strong points in this one. His rebounding and inside scoring was the real difference in this game. Bernard's just couldn't find a way to keep him off the boards, and when he got the ball, particularly in the 1st half, he was just about unstoppable.

Carson's also got USA Blue Team veterans, Andre Johnson (6'0 JR SG) and Twaine Waite (6'2 JR SG/SF). Johnson went for 11 in the game with two 3's. He's a great shooter, but is frankly much stronger when he's finding a way to get to the rack. So far this season that part of his game just hasn't fit into Carson's offensive scheme, and his scoring has tailed off a bit. He did have 15 in the Covina finals against Diamond Bar and made All-Tourney. He's also picked up his defensive intensity.

"Dre" Johnson at the line

Twaine Waite to the rack

Waite is also a prolific shooter and scorer. In fact he and Johnson are very much alike in their games.  Twaine however, is not having the season we expected, at least not so far. It looks like difficulty fitting his game into the coach's system, which is much more controlled than the more wide open game than he, and Johnson, thrive in. In this game, his teammates also seemed to have a real hard time finding him, he just didn't touch the ball even when whe was wide open, which was most of the time. Defensively, he is getting better with each game, much more active on D than last season. I think that is what's leading to the large number of minutes he's playing. He finished with 4 pts.

 

Sherman Gay drives, the quick and agile "big man" finished with 7

St. Bernard's has a team I really like. They're not very big, but they've got some athletes that are very active, particularly on D, and work real hard. If they have a serious weakness, it's at the guard position where they've got talent, but nobody has really stepped up and taken over the crucial leadership role that's needed at that position. They've got shooters, (JR SG/SF, Brandon Williams can fill it up from anywhere), athletic big men, (6'4 Sherman Gay who plays Center for the Vikings, has the ball skills and shot of a small forward, and frontcourt mate, "EZ" Burts is also tough in the paint.), but they just don't have the guy to run the show just yet.

They were down by 11 at the half (36-25) but came back with a strong 3rd quarter to cut the lead to 5 or 6 a couple of times. But Duncantel repeatedly thwarted them, or the Carson pressure would yield a TO. 

 

Brandon Williams eyes the target

. Then plays the tough D.

I couldn't identify the Bernard's player who got the nice swat on a Duncantel shot.

Anyway, pretty good game, with Carson winning 63-50.

For Carson, besides Duncantel and Johnson, Marcus Washington contributed 8 pts. St. Bernards had Jose Hanson with 8, Bernard McCampy (sp) with 8, Gay's 7, and Haynie had 9.

Later, Jason Day

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