Local hoops roundup: PC men beat Merced

The Porterville College men’s basketball team got a preview of where it stands against one of its Central Valley Conference opponents in Merced. PC also got a look at what it’s capable of when its three talented guards — Jason Carmichael, Donald Lee and Mikey Hidalgo — are all clicking.

Carmichael, Hidalgo and Lee combined to score 60 points as PC beat Merced 89-76 on Friday at the American River Tournament. Porterville advanced to play Napa at 11 a.m. today for the consolation title.

Carmichael scored 33 points, Lee had 14 points and Hidalgo added 12 points, leading an effort in which PC hit 15 three-pointers.

“Our best shooting performance by far,” PC coach T.J. Jennings said. “All three of them shot it well.”

Jennings said any time his team can make 12 to 15 threes, it will be tough to beat. While Lee saw action in an 84-80 loss to No. 10 Chabot on Thursday, Friday’s game was really is first game back at full strength from an ankle injury.

“It’s one of those things where we definitely need his leadership on the court,” Jennings said. “We have a strong three-guard rotation.”

Jennings said it also give his lineup more versatility with all three guards being available. Jordan Wilkinson also scored 12 points for PC and led an improved effort on the boards, another key to Porterville’s win. “I thought that we did a better job of that,” said Jennings about his team’s rebounding.

PC led 37-33 at halftime and game stayed close for about the first four minutes of the second half when Porterville gradually pulled away. The Pirates led by as many as 16 points.

COS 69, PC WOMEN 58

The difference of the game for Porterville was that the host College of the Sequoias got hot from three-point range while PC struggled from beyond the arc in the Tom Gilcrest Invitational. PC trailed just 31-28 at halftime, but COS was able to pull away when it became hot from three-point range, hitting several threes while Porterville finished the game just 3-of-19 from behind the arc.

Maribel Bravo had a strong game, scoring 20 points, while Regine Mecanario had 16 points and Bethany Reed added six points for PC.

CHAVEZ 40, PHS GIRLS 36

Cesar Chavez held off Porterville from the foul line and with a key three-pointer down the stretch at the Redwood Tournament. Both teams struggled in the first half with Chavez clinging to a 13-12 lead and PHS trailed 25-21 after three quarters.

Porterville was hurt by the absence of Jenna Duran, who didn’t play with a foot injury, and also lost three players late in the third quarter, who left to participate in the choir.

“The effort and intensity was much improved over the first two games of the tournament,” Porterville coach Tom Fiormonti said. “I’m very pleased with the progress.”

Alia Alvarez hit two threes on her way to scoring 18 points and Savannah Ertl added 13 points for PHS. Porterville concludes play in the tournament at 2:30 p.m. today againt Mt. Whitney, but again will not be at full strength, missing several players, including Duran, who will still be out with her foot injury.

MCFARLAND 46, STRATHMORE 41

Strathmore couldn’t sustain its fast start in its opener at McFarland as the Spartans raced out to an 11-0 lead before the Cougars came back. “We had great energy,” Strathmore first-year coach Justin St. Clair said.

The Spartans still had a chance late as they were within three points before McFarland held on. Orlando Maciel had 14 points and four rebounds and Jorge Ibarra added 12 points and five rebounds for SHS.

With only two returning players from last year and 13 new players this season, St. Clair said he was encouraged with his team’s effort in its opener.

The Porterville College men’s basketball team got a preview of where it stands against one of its Central Valley Conference opponents in Merced. PC also got a look at what it’s capable of when its three talented guards — Jason Carmichael, Donald Lee and Mikey Hidalgo — are all clicking.

Carmichael, Hidalgo and Lee combined to score 60 points as PC beat Merced 89-76 on Friday at the American River Tournament. Porterville advanced to play Napa at 11 a.m. today for the consolation title.

Carmichael scored 33 points, Lee had 14 points and Hidalgo added 12 points, leading an effort in which PC hit 15 three-pointers.

“Our best shooting performance by far,” PC coach T.J. Jennings said. “All three of them shot it well.”

Jennings said any time his team can make 12 to 15 threes, it will be tough to beat. While Lee saw action in an 84-80 loss to No. 10 Chabot on Thursday, Friday’s game was really is first game back at full strength from an ankle injury.

“It’s one of those things where we definitely need his leadership on the court,” Jennings said. “We have a strong three-guard rotation.”

Jennings said it also give his lineup more versatility with all three guards being available.

Jordan Wilkinson also scored 12 points for PC and led an improved effort on the boards, another key to Porterville’s win. “I thought that we did a better job of that,” said Jennings about his team’s rebounding.

PC led 37-33 at halftime and game stayed close for about the first four minutes of the second half when Porterville gradually pulled away. The Pirates led by as many as 16 points.

COS 69, PC WOMEN 58

The difference of the game for Porterville was that the host College of the Sequoias got hot from three-point range while PC struggled from beyond the arc in the Tom Gilcrest Invitational. PC trailed just 31-28 at halftime, but COS was able to pull away when it became hot from three-point range, hitting several threes while Porterville finished the game just 3-of-19 from behind the arc.

Maribel Bravo had a strong game, scoring 20 points, while Regine Mecanario had 16 points and Bethany Reed added six points for PC.

CHAVEZ 40, PHS GIRLS 36

Cesar Chavez held off Porterville from the foul line and with a key three-pointer down the stretch at the Redwood Tournament. Both teams struggled in the first half with Chavez clinging to a 13-12 lead and PHS trailed 25-21 after three quarters.

Porterville was hurt by the absence of Jenna Duran, who didn’t play with a foot injury, and also lost three players late in the third quarter, who left to participate in the choir.

“The effort and intensity was much improved over the first two games of the tournament,” Porterville coach Tom Fiormonti said. “I’m very pleased with the progress.”

Alia Alvarez hit two threes on her way to scoring 18 points and Savannah Ertl added 13 points for PHS. Porterville concludes play in the tournament at 2:30 p.m. today againt Mt. Whitney, but again will not be at full strength, missing several players, including Duran, who will still be out with her foot injury.

MCFARLAND 46, STRATHMORE 41

Strathmore couldn’t sustain its fast start in its opener at McFarland as the Spartans raced out to an 11-0 lead before the Cougars came back. “We had great energy,” Strathmore first-year coach Justin St. Clair said.

The Spartans still had a chance late as they were within three points before McFarland held on. Orlando Maciel had 14 points and four rebounds and Jorge Ibarra added 12 points and five rebounds for SHS.

With only two returning players from last year and 13 new players this season, St. Clair said he was encouraged with his team’s effort in its opener.