Men's basketball team rebounds with two straight wins in Saddleback tourney
Dec 15, 2007
The Irvine Valley men's basketball team bounced back from just its second loss of the season with two straight victories in the Saddleback Tournament and claimed the consolation title.
After falling to LA Trade Tech, 77-68, in the first round on Thursday, IVC defeated Santa Monica, 86-63, on Friday and then Barstow, 82-42, on Saturday for the consolation crown.
IVC sophomore wing Kashif Watson was named to the all-tournament team. He averaged 15.3 points in three tournament games.
Against Santa Monica on Friday, six IVC players scored in double figures. Watson led the way with 16 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Freshman point guard La'Shard Anderson finished with 14 points, back-up freshman point guard Perry Webster added 13 points and freshman guard Jeff Ledbetter finished with 13 points.
Sophomore guard Jason Toney had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists and sophomore center Bryce Webster contributed 10 points.
IVC shot 63.6 percent (28 of 44) from the field in the game, including 11 of 14 (78.6 percent) in the first half. The Lasers were also an impressive 13 of 14 from the free throw line in the second half.
Against Barstow on Saturday, Watson led the way with 18 points and five rebounds. Anderson scored 10 points and had four assists and reserve center AJ Kapanoske added 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.
The Lasers shot a solid 56.9 percent (33 of 58) from the field in the game. Watson made 8 of his 11 field goal attempts.
IVC helped hold Barstow to just 25.4 percent (15 of 59) shooting from the field, including 4 of 21 (19.0 percent) in the first half.
Barstow had just five assists and committed 20 turnovers.
Irvine Valley plays again next Wednesday, traveling to Cuyamaca College for a non-conference match-up.