By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Carson’s late dunk spurs game-deciding run for Lathrop
Pacheco-Lathrop boys basketball
Lathrop’s Raymond Carson (35) finishes off a fast break in front of Pacheco’s Daven Cablay (0). - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL

Thanks to a blistering 26-point third quarter by visiting Pacheco on Friday night, Lathrop saw a 13-point halftime lead evaporate early in the fourth period of their Western Athletic Conference clash.

The Spartans responded with a 10-0 run highlighted by Raymond Carson’s resounding dunk, and they came out on top, 56-47.

“That dunk brought us a lot of energy,” Carson said. “I am just happy I could get that off and get the team going with the run that we had.

Pacheco-Lathrop boys basketball
Lathrop’s Chris Ramos tries to get past the defense of Pacheco’s Nikolas Loneli (11).
“We didn’t really play good in the third quarter, but in the fourth, once I got that dunk, we turned it around, our energy was way better and we played great defense.”

Lathrop (1-1 WAC, 3-11 overall) clung to a 43-40 lead to start the fourth period when the Panthers (8-7) went on a 5-0 run behind a 3-pointer by Tyrell Jenkins Jr. to tie the score, and a field goal by Emilio Romero (10 points) to take their only lead of the night at 45-43.

A fast-break bucket by Reniel Crisostomo (nine points) followed by two Crisostomo free throws put the Spartans ahead 47-45 when the dunk by Carson (20-points, six rebounds) started Pacheco’s scoring drought that would last for more than three minutes.

“I would say we needed that dunk,” Lathrop coach Robin Hong said. “It was a fast-break opportunity which we have been limited in for most of the season. We haven’t been able to take advantage of easy transitions or easy scoring opportunities in general, so it was a big boost for us to end one with a Carson dunk. He is our leader, our unspoken leader. In basketball, and team sports in general, teams follow the leader.

“The key for us was in the third quarter when they went on that run, we were asking the guys to switch between different defenses just to give Pacheco different looks, and we would double when we weren’t supposed to double and leave shooters wide open on the perimeter. And in the fourth quarter we emphasized that we needed to lock in defensively and they took it to heart.”

Marcus Cotton scored eight of his 10 points for the Spartans in the second half and added seven rebounds, two assists and a block.

“We had the size advantage on them,” Cotton said. “So we were trying to use that and get it into the paint to turn the game around in the fourth quarter.”

Pacheco’s Phillip Catalana shared high-point honors with Carson at 20 points.

Lathrop continues the WAC campaign Tuesday night at 7:15 when the Spartans host Grace Davis.

 

Junior varsity

Lathrop 69, Pacheco 43

Caden Phaing (two rebounds) paced the Spartans when he scored all 13 of his points in the first quarter.

Lathrop’s Justin Neal added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

 

Freshman

Lathrop 62, Pacheco 12

Bryan Gamboa scored 24 points and tallied four assists for the Spartans.

Two Lathrop players posted double-doubles with Adrian Anaya scoring 12 points and making 16 steals with three rebounds and Jayden Davidson posting 10 points and 16 rebounds.