Prep Report: Tritons coast to opening win
The Mariner Tritons went away from their tendency in a season-opening high school basketball game Tuesday night against visiting Island Coast.
Instead of relying on the three-point shot, one of their strengths last season, they took the ball to the basket with success in an 84-39 victory.
Ricardo Barsesa led the charge with 17 points, Justin Emmons tallied 16 points and eight rebounds and Kameron Beach finished with 15 points and seven assists.
“We did a good job getting to the basket,” said Tritons coach James Harris. “I challenged them all week not to settle for the three, and I thought they did a good job with that.”
The Tritons (1-0) never looked back after building a 30-10 lead through the opening quarter. They continued to get to the free throw line, finished 21-of-31. Beach sank 7-of-8 from the line and Emmons made all four attempts.
The Gators (0-2) are in their first full varsity season. They opened Monday with an 80-60 loss at Cypress Lake.
Senior Bryan Lopez hit two three-pointers and scored 12 points to lead the Gators.
Island Coast 10 14 12 3 – 39
Mariner 30 22 20 12 – 84
Island Coast (39) – Lopez 12, Hopkins 2, Harding 2, Hrkac 8, Dalbon 3, Griffin 3, Morris 3, Perez 4, Bonilla 2. Totals: 15 4-7 39.
3-point goals: Lopez 2, Hrkac 1, Dalbon 1, Morris 1.
Mariner (84) – Beach 15, Barsesa 17, Kuchman 3, Marrero 2, Marte 2, Rivera 7, Adams 6, Guerrier 9, Walker 1, Ferrera 6, Emmons 16. Totals: 30 21-31 84.
3-point goals: Barsesa 2, Rivera 1.
Girls Basketball
Island Coast 48, Mariner 24: The visiting Island Coast Gators jumped out to a 25-5 halftime lead and doubled up Mariner to post their first win of the season.
Sophomore Larisha Blackmon led the Gators (1-3) with 14 points and Immon Pomerleau added 13. The Gators clamped down defensively early on and that set the tone for the win.
The Gators have played a difficult early schedule, which has included two games against Cypress Lake, a regional qualifier last season. They’ll head to St. John Neumann for a two-day shootout Friday and Saturday.
Island Coast 9 16 7 15 – 48
Mariner 3 2 11 8 – 24
Island Coast (48) – Almanor 2, Blackmon 14, Mahone 8, Pomerleau 13, Mims 6, Ellis 2, Young 2. Totals: 20 6-22 48.
3-point goals: Mahone 1.
Mariner (24) – Bono 3, Stephens 2, Heroluk 7, Yafiesta 1, McClure 4, D.Connor 2, Mercado 1, Griffin 4. Totals: 8 7-19 24.
3-point goals: Heroluk 1.
Bishop Verot 56, South Fort Myers 32: Florida Gulf Coast University signee Katlyn Payne pumped in 36 points as the host Vikings rolled past South Fort Myers.
Payne, who transferred to Verot from the Chicago area, added four steals and two assists.
Taylor Kramer (three assists, six rebounds, two steals) and Elizabeth Norton (two assists, six rebounds, four steals) chipped in for the Vikings (2-0).
Courtney Snowden scored 12 and Liana Talford 11 to lead South.
Girls Soccer
Mariner 2, North Fort Myers 2: The Mariner Tritons and host North Fort Myers Red Knights waged another tough battle, which ended in a tie.
It was the second meeting of the season between the teams with the Knights prevailing 3-2 in the first match.
This time the scoring went back and forth. The Knights grabbed the 1-0 lead on a goal by Rachel Perkins. Casey Gentile provided an assist on the goal.
Emily Diroma and Kelsea Whitaker scored the next two goals for the Tritons, putting them in front 2-1, but the Knights answered with the equalizer with about 15 minutes left. Perkins scored her second goal of the match on an assist from Katie Abernathy.
The Tritons (5-3-1) had the clear edge in scoring chances, which forced North goalkeeper Brianna Abatisti to make 21 saves. Mariner keeper Sam Greenwell made eight saves.
The Tritons host Ida Baker Monday, and the Red Knights (4-2-2) host Baker Tuesday.
Bishop Verot 7, LaBelle 1: Sophomore Kady Otzko scored four goals, giving her 16 on the season, and the visiting Vikings stormed past LaBelle.
Several players contributed for the Vikings (9-1), including Stephanie Zavada (one goal, two assists), McKenna Duquette (one goal, one assist) and Kayley Clay (two assists).
Taylor Puhls had one goal and Sofia Quinonez added an assist.
Cape Coral 1, Charlotte 1: The Cape Coral Seahawks saw their five-match shutout streak snapped, but sophomore Mary Farella scored a goal with eight minutes left to produce a tie at Charlotte.
The Seahawks (5-1-2) fell behind 1-0 in the first 15 minutes, but managed to even the score on Farella’s goal, which was assisted by sophomore Victoria Reno.
Sophomore keeper Amanda Kopale recorded six saves.
Cape travels to Estero Tuesday.
Boys Soccer
Cape Coral 3, Charlotte 0: Sophomore goalkeeper Santi Villamil recorded his fifth shutout of the season, and the Seahawks blanked visiting Charlotte.
The Seahawks played a sound match overall with defensive sweeper Andrew Gonzalez continuing his strong work.
“The young guys are stepping it up. I can’t ask for more, so far,” Cape coach David Torres said.
The Seahawks’ steady offense included goals by Caio Amaral, Guillermo Duque and Kevin Lopera.
The Seahawks (6-1) return to district action next Tuesday when they host Estero.
Mariner 1, Cardinal Mooney 0: Freshman Isaiah Romano scored the lone goal in the first half and the Mariner defense did the rest in a win over Cardinal Mooney in the Sarasota Tournament.
Goalkeeper Matt Brust made seven saves to preserve the shutout and the Tritons received strong play from senior defensive captains Matt Isherwood and John Teeter.
On the Tritons’ goal, Juan Rincon fought for the ball in front of the net and as the ball got free Romano was there to follow up.
The Tritons (5-2) play their third match in the tournament at 4 p.m. Wednesday against Sarasota Riverview.