Andrew Torres scored 30 but it wasn't enough
(Montebello)- Andrew Torres led all scorers with 30 points and Michael Carabes tossed in 20 but it wasn’t enough as Montebello fell to Upland 70-65 Friday night in the second round of the CIF Division 1AA playoffs.
Torres scored 14 of his 30 in the fourth quarter as he tried to lead the Oilers game wining rally. Torres knocked down a three pointer in the final period and four baskets underneath with some smooth low post moves.
Upland led by as many as 11 early in the fourth after going on a 10-0 run that started late in the third. But Montebello cut it down to two at 58-56 with an 11-2 blitz of its own. Upland held on down the stretch by knocking down 12 of 14 free throws including four consecutive by Chris Powell.
Carabes hit five three point bombs to account for 15 of his 20. He hit two in the first quarter as Montebello led 16-15 after one. John Gilliam, (no relation to the former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver), had 6 in the first quarter to keep Upland close.
The Highlanders played the Oilers even in the second and went into the break down 30-29. Gilliam hit a shot right before the second half horn sounded and Mike Balotta buried a pair of threes for Upland.
Montebello paraded to the charity stripe in the second converting seven of seven from the line with Torres hitting three of three.
Upland gained control by outscoring the Oilers 22-15 in the third and never relinquished the lead. Although the Highlanders had only two players in double figures they had eight in the scoring column. Powell led the way with 18 and Gilliam had 13. Powell converted 5 of 6 free throw attempts. Balotta had 8, all in the second quarter, while D.J. Coleman and Julian Nichols each had 7.
Torres and Carabes combined for 50 but after that the scoring dropped off. Marcos Mejia was next in line with 7. 6’11” center Antonio Worthy was a force defensively for the Oilers blocking five shots but scored just 2 points.
Upland improves to 21-8 overall and moves on to the quarterfinals. Montebello had a memorable season despite the loss. The Oilers swept through the Almont League ripping off 10 straight victories and finished the season with a record of 28-2.
U 15 14 22 19 70
M 16 14 15 20 65
U- Balotta 8, Coleman 7, Aaron Wilson 4, Anthony Fitzpatrick 8, Gilliam 13, Nichols 7, Powell 18, Myles Pearson 5.
M- Mejia 7, Carabes 20, Worthy 2, Torres 30, Jeremy Solis 6.
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