Carter, Gauchos Press the Issue to Advance

On a night when Saddleback’s Anthony Carter concentrated on his passing, teammates David Drakeford and Rod Beavers took over the offense.

The Gauchos used a fierce press to build a 21-point halftime lead en route to winning, 98-73. The Gauchos (25-5) advance to the second round and will host Bakersfield at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Drakeford, a sophomore guard, made five of six three-pointers and finished with a season-high 26 points. Beavers, a freshman forward, added 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Carter, who normally plays in the swing spot, switched to point guard often during the game.

He ran the Saddleback offense with ease and finished with 12 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

“We just tried to vary our look a little at times tonight,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said.

Carter started the game needing 15 points to become the college’s all-time scoring leader. Carter, who is averaging a state-best 27 points, has 1,448 career points and trails Dennis Smith (1975-77) by two points.

“I’m just trying to help my team,” Carter said. “I don’t care if I never get the scoring record. I just want to make it to the state tournament.”

Daryll Granger made six of eight shots and finished with 14 for Saddleback.

In other men’s games:

Santa Monica 86, Cypress 67--Jason Krauss scored a game-high 19 points and David Neal added 10 points, but Cypress couldn’t overcome a 17-point halftime deficit. Damon Ollie led Santa Monica with 15 points.

Cypress ends the season 13-19 and Santa Monica (28-3) hosts Long Beach Wednesday.

Ventura 92, Golden West 69--Jerald Zimmerman scored 17 points as host Ventura, the top-seeded team in Southern California, won its 16th consecutive game.

Ray Jimmerson scored 36 for Golden West (14-21). Ventura (29-2) hosts Los Angeles Trade Tech Wednesday.

In Southern California women’s playoffs:

Orange Coast 89, Santa Monica 61--Jamie Shine broke Orange Coast’s single-season rebound record, pulling down 17, to bring her season total to 362.

The previous record was held by Leann Kazmer, who had 349 in the 1993-94 season. Shine, a forward from El Modena High, also had 18 points and five assists, to help Orange Coast (23-10) advance to the second round at San Diego Mesa at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Monica Geraci scored a career-best 21 points and had nine assists, nine steals and eight rebounds for the Pirates. Kathleen Kelly had 15 points and Tina Afan added 14.

Orange Coast shot 51% from the field in the game and outrebounded Santa Monica, 47-36. The Corsairs finish 12-17.

Cuesta 63, Fullerton 59--Fullerton led by as many 12 in the first half before falling. Lupie Janos had 12 points and Lacey Sollie, Fullerton’s all-time rebounding leader, had 14 rebounds and finished her career with 500.

Fullerton ends the season 15-16 and Cuesta (18-13) travel to Cerritos Wednesday.