Cavemen beat Los Lunas in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE – Despite a slow start, the Carlsbad boys basketball team got the ball into the post more effectively in the second half to beat Los Lunas, 54-41, Thursday night to start the Albuquerque Academy Tournament.

“We started slow, but we finished strong. Sometimes, that’s what it takes it get a victory. You’ve just got to grind one out,” coach Jamaal Brown said.

“We were a little bit more patient on the offensive end and got the shots that we wanted," he said.

Brown also said Carlsbad wore down Los Lunas on defense as the second half dragged on.

“(Los Lunas) started forcing some shots,” Brown said. “In the end, our conditioning won out in the second half. We able to control the tempo.”

Junior center Brenden Boatwright scored 20 points and shot 6-of-8 from the free throw line, while junior forward Chris Johnson scored 11 points.

Senior point guard Ralph Cueto scored 10 points and shot 5-of-6 from the foul line.

“We’ve got a lot of different weapons. Obviously, we expect our posts to hold their own against anybody in the state,” Brown said. “But to see guys like Ralph Cueto score in double-figures, it’s just a testament to Ralph’s hard work. He’s put the time in over the spring and summer, and he’s really turned himself into a good little point guard.”

The Cavemen (4-0) faced Oñate at 8:15 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

Visit currentargus.com late Friday night for information on that game.

CARLSBAD 54, LOS LUNAS 41