Arizona commit Carter Bryant drops 39 in Centennial’s win over Roosevelt
CORONA, CALIFORNIA - Carter Bryant couldn’t be stopped. The 6-foot-8, Arizona signee made every shot imaginable.
His first points of the night came on a pull-up 3-pointer from 25 feet. Moments later, he threw down a two-handed tip-jam … he was just getting started.
Bryant’s shot-making ability was pro-like, many of his makes coming while being contested by 5-star junior recruit Brayden Burries.
“He was incredible,” Corona Centennial coach Josh Giles said.
Bryant scored 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Centennial’s 82-78 Big VIII League victory over rival Eastvale Roosevelt at home Tuesday night.
It marked the Huskies’ 65th straight league victory.
Carter made turnaround jumpers from the post. Catch and shoot 3-pointers from the corner. Runners in the lane off the glass. Free throws, too.
“I started out the season real rough,” Bryant said. “Through my first six, seven games, I was struggling. I feel like I couldn’t make anything. Teams were leaving me open. But it stayed with my fundamentals and I knew at some point shots were going to fall.”
Bryant made six 3-pointers in the game. He scored 16 points in the first half.
Teammates Tariq Iscandari had 20 points and UCLA-bound Eric Freeny notched 16 points and 14 rebounds. Roosevelt was led by Darnez Slater’s 20 points. Brayden Burries had 12 and Issac Williamson scored 15.
Bryant and Burries guarded each other throughout the game. At times, chirping at one another.
“That’s my guy. I’ve known him since I was five years old - we grew up playing together,” Bryant said.
Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd was in attendance to watch the game. He was checking in on Bryant, but also had his eyes on Burries, a 5-star rated junior.
Centennial moves to 15-7 overall. The seven losses are glaring when comparing the total to other CIF Southern Section Open Division candidates, but the three-time defending champions might’ve locked up a Open Division berth with Tuesday night’s win.
“I feel better about it,” Giles said. “But we still need to handle business.”
Centennial plays in the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. on Saturday night and will play Archbishop Riordan in a showcase on Jan. 20 before likely playing Roosevelt again in the league’s year-end tournament.
NOTABLE SCORES, STATS (JAN. 9)
TRINITY LEAGUE
- St. John Bosco 51, Santa Margarita 45: The Braves eek out a win thanks to Jack Turner’s 16 points.
- Mater Dei 92, Servite 49: Luke Barnett led the way with 19 points. Monarchs are 4-0 in league play.
BASELINE LEAGUE
- Damien 58, Chino Hills 52: Nate Garcia anchored the Spartans to a tight victory with 28 points.
- Etiwanda 71, Rancho Cucamonga 70 (OT): Amare Campbell led the Eagles with 20 points. Aaron Glass scored 21 points for Rancho.
OLYMPIC LEAGUE
- Heritage Christian 72, Village Christian 61: Tae Simmons led the Warriors with 27 points. Dillan Shaw added 20.
PACIFIC LEAGUE
- Pasadena 65, Crescenta Valley 57: Vaughn Zargarian had 23 points in the loss.
- Arcadia 59, Hoover 45: Brian Ching scored 11 points. Robert Winn III and Mansour Sanneh each scored 10.
