Garrett Carpenter's 30-point night is overshadowed by a 4th-quarter shutout, validating Cambridge's grueling summer training
BARNESVILLE — The Cambridge High Bobcats improved to a perfect 5-0 record following a convincing 56-26 road victory over the host Barnesville Shamrocks on Friday, Dec. 12.
Leading the charge was senior sharpshooter Garrett Carpenter, who delivered another monster performance with an impressive double-double effort of 30 points, and 10 rebounds, including knocking down 8 long-range, three-pointers.
But in the post-game interview, Carpenter's focus immediately shifted from his huge individual night to the team's strong defensive exploits to close out the game.
"It just feels so great to see that hard work all summer pay off," Carpenter said, calling the Bobcats' dominant 10-0 scoring edge in the final frame his "favorite part" of the night.
Summer work pays off in shutdown quarters
For Carpenter, the final quarter was the ultimate payoff of the Bobcats' grueling offseason conditioning program. He explained that their summer goal was to be "in better condition both mentally and physically than our opponents, allowing us to play harder than the other team to close out the game."
That commitment is proving to be a significant advantage for the Bobcats, as the 10-0 fourth quarter marked the second game in a row the Bobcats were able to hold an opponent scoreless in a second-half quarter.
"That's such a huge advantage for us. And something we can be proud of, as a source of pride for the whole team," Carpenter said.
Coach Logan McCort credits new defensive identity
Cambridge head coach Logan McCort confirmed the team's defensive shift.
"We can shoot, we can score, but we also now really defend very hard," McCort said. "The kids have really bought into that defensive mindset."
McCort praised the summer conditioning program for the late-game defensive dominance, noting that holding the Shamrocks to a final score of 26 accomplished a key goal.
"That was our goal−to keep them under 30 points," he said. "We really trusted in our off-season condition program that good things are going to happen. And it really paid off in that fourth quarter tonight, holding them scoreless."
Cambridge's second year head coach credited Carpenter for setting the high standard for the Bobcats.
"Garrett puts more hours in the gym working on his game than anybody I have ever been around, McCort said. "... and when your best player is also your hardest worker, it sets such a positive and powerful mindset for your whole team."
Still plenty of offense for Bobcats
Through five games, Carpenter is averaging nearly a double-double of 24.6 points per game with 8.8 rebounds per night. Contributing to the Bobcats' scoring effort against the Shamrocks were Cam Lauer with 7 points, with Mason Gregg and A.J. Lawrence with 6 points each.
For Barnesville, now 1-3 on the season, scoring was led by Ryker Willis with nine points, Brody McFarland with 8 points, and Evan Carpenter with 6 points on a pair of 3-pointers.
Other Friday Dec. 12 boys results
John Glenn 66, West M 55: Stehl Bates was 9 of 13 from the field in a 22-point effort for the Muskies (2-1, 1-1 MVL-Big) in an MVL road clash at Gary Ankrum Gymnasium in Falls Township.
C.J. Dolan and Brayden Davis added 16 points on a combined 12-of-14 showing at the line — Davis was 8-of-8. Dolan and Bates added seven assists, Davis 10 rebounds and Bates seven steals.
John Glenn broke open a 45-43 lead after three quarters by outscoring the Tornadoes, 21-12, in the final frame.
Meadowbrook 49, River View 36: The Colts made it two in a row with the Muskingum Valley League home court victory over the Black Bears.
Jake Burris paced a balanced attack for Meadowbrook (2-1, 2-0 MVL) with 12 points, Austin Warner added 10 with Michael Ray and Masyn Campbell each contributing 7 points.
River View (1-2, 1-1 MVL) was led by Carter Wesney with a game-high 16 points, while Layton Massie finished with 9 markers.
Malvern 60, Buckeye Trail 50: The Warriors took to the road and suffered a road setback on Friday, Dec. 12 in an Inter-Valley Conference matchup.
Senior Sammy Brown tallied 15 points to lead Buckeye Trail (3-2, 2-1 IVC), with Easton Rominger and Connor Eagon each added double figure support with 13 points and 10 respectively.
River 66, Shenandoah 43: The Zeps continued to search for the elusive first win of the season, slipping to an 0-5 record with the home court setback to the Pilots on Friday, Dec. 12.
No game details were available from the game.
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This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Carpenter's favorite Zero: Bobcats' sharpshooter praises 4th quarter shutout
Category: General Sports
