Photo By Steve Carter: Christian Carter drives through three Roughriders on his way to the bucket. Carter finished with a game-high 22 as Thatcher went into Pima and blew them out, 64-47.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – Thatcher senior point guard Christian Carter had the game of the night as he and the Thatcher Eagles flew out of Pima with a blowout victory Thursday night, 64-47.
Carter led all scorers and did most of his damage in the first half, scoring 17 of his game-high 22. He outscored Pima by himself in the first half, as the Roughriders could only muster 15 points as a team.
Thatcher doubled up Pima by the break, 31-15, and by the end of the third the game was well in hand with the Eagles up 45-22.
But it was the way Carter managed the game that was more impressive than just his scoring. He paced the team and had great court vision, twice zipping three-quarter court passes to racing teammates for layups.
Braden Bryce (13) and Wyatt Nicholas (21). Ashby led the Roughriders with 12 points.
He also set up his teammates for success by locating them while open and hitting them in time for good looks at the bucket. Carter set up Sophomore guard Isaac Palmer a few times. Isaac hit a couple of 3’s on the night and 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help keep Pima’s comeback at bay.
Points were hard to come by for Pima, with Clark Ashby having the most consistent night by scoring in each quarter to lead the team with 12 points. Keegan Corona hit a couple 3’s, Riley Alder got one from deep and a couple of field goals, and Rhett Hughes did the same as all three finished with 8 points each. Preston Russell had a few buckets for 6 points, and Sam Ray, who had the unenviable task of guarding Carter most of the night, finished with 5 points.
Other scorers for Thatcher included Brett Jones and Chad Johnson with 7 points each, Bronson Stringfellow had 5, and Dylan Riney had 3 points.
Thatcher (3-3 region, 4-4 conference, 14-6 overall) will next host the (Tucson) Palo Verde Magnet Titans on Tuesday, Jan. 30, starting at 7 p.m.
Pima (8-0 region, 8-1 conference, 15-7 overall) will have a tough rebound game on Saturday, Jan. 27, as they host the Scottsdale Christian Eagles, starting at 7 p.m.
