BASKETBALL

Cavemen open season with win over Goddard

Matt Hollinshead
Carlsbad Current-Argus
Cavemen senior shooting guard Micah Calderon knocks down a midrange shot in the third quarter Tuesday against Goddard.

CARLSBAD -- As far as turnovers and quick points go, it was a tale of two halves for the Carlsbad boys basketball team.

The Cavemen struggled on the scoring end and committed multiple turnovers in the first half of Tuesday's season opener against Goddard, but quickly turned the tables after halftime - forcing turnovers and making quick baskets en route to a 64-53 win in front the raucous Carlsbad basketball faithful.

"I think it was first-game jitters, honestly," junior forward Chris Johnson said.

The Cavemen were unable to make shots attacking the post and struggled to knock down free throws and the Rockets took advantage of it, slashing down the lanes for quick layups and pull-up 3-pointers.

"I didn't mind our looks at the basket, but we just didn't finish very well in the first half," coach Jamaal Brown said.

Carlsbad shot just 11-of-33 on the floor in the first half, including 2-of-11 from the foul line.

"We just need to be patient, take our time," senior point guard Ralph Cueto said.

They showed patience charging at the basket during the second half and the movement soon became far more fluid, and shots fell.

Forcing more turnovers, Carlsbad seized control going the other way and shot the ball in a more relaxed manner.

"You saw a lot of rushed shots by Goddard in the second half, which leads to nice defensive rebounds for us and only one shot attempt for them. That's our style of ball. We're going to limit teams hopefully to one shot per possession, if any," Brown said. "I think our guards did a great job taking care of the ball in the second half."

Senior guards Micah Calderon and Malachi Calderon didn't check in until the second half, but quickly provided a big boost. Repeatedly cutting across the wing for the basket, it soon became a domino effect.

Once Micah Calderon started hitting shots inside, multiple players soon followed and made shots.

"That's our bread and butter inside, quick shots. That's going to open up the outside and open up everyone else," Johnson said.

Junior center Brenden Boatwright and Johnson scored 21 and 15 points, respectively. Cueto and Micah Calderon each scored 12 points. The Cavemen ended the night shooting 28-of-66 overall.

"Once we start scoring inside, we're going to be able to kick it out and we're going to hit some threes," Boatwright said.

LeAnthoney Harrison led Goddard with 23 points.

Carlsbad (1-0) will play at 7 p.m. Friday at Gadsden.

"We've got a height advantage against them," Cueto said.

Cueto also said Carlsbad must get its post game going sooner.

CARLSBAD 64, GODDARD 53

Up next for Carlsbad: 7 p.m. Friday at Gadsden

Up next for Goddard: 12:30 p.m. Thursday vs. Santa Teresa (Al Armendariz Classic Tournament at Capital)

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.