Needing a win to extend its season, the Carbon Dinos suffered a 68-56 loss to the Grand Red Devils in the consolation bracket at the 3A State Tournament in Richfield Friday afternoon.
Falling into the one-loss bracket following a loss to the Grantsville Cowboys on Thursday, Carbon was dealt a third meeting with the Red Devils. In similar fashion to the two contests in the regular season, the Dinos proved to be a formidable opponent, but fell of pace late.
“We just had a lot of shots that didn’t fall for us,” said head coach Jared Butler. “When we started to make a run late we gave up three or four offensive boards that really hurt us. That takes a lot out of you when you’re playing behind.”
Trailing by just two points entering the fourth quarter Carbon was outscored 23-13 in the final eight minutes. Two three-point plays from Grand senior Chance Arbon stretched the deficit to game-high 13 with under four minutes to play.
Carbon senior Preston Condie ended his final campaign with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. A difference maker on both ends of the floor, Condie also took two charge fouls to amp up the energy.
Presented with several opportunities from beyond the arc Carbon ended 7-of-26 from the three-point line. Four of those makes came from Caleb Winfree and Merrick Morgan, who ended with 10 and 14 points respectively.
“We talked on how to beat the press and when we do attack it with a layup. I thought we shot three or four three-point shots that were rushed,” said Butler. “We needed to go to the glass a lot more than we did. They wanted us to rush into a shot and that happens against a team like that.”
All six Carbon seniors managed to score at least two points in the season finale. Center Keenan Hatch delivered an all-around game with eight points, 13 boards and two assists. Noah Bradford chipped in with eight points, and Max Lancaster scored two on one attempt.
Sophomore Moroni Seely-Roberts poured in a game-high 29 points on 15 shot attempts to lead the Red Devils in the win. Recording the game’s only double-double, he also logged 12 rebounds to go along with two assists.
Arbon was the only other Grand player to reach double-figures as he scored 10 and corralled eight boards. Tyler Bohannon and Ryelan Jones both ended with eight.
“I was proud that they just continued to fight,” said Butler. “I didn’t see any of our guys dragging or quitting. That’s all we can an ask as coaches is that they put their heart and soul into this game and we did that.”
Thursday’s loss brings Carbon’s final overall record to 13-10, including a 5-5 mark in Region 12 play.
Stay tuned to Castle Country Radio for a complete season recap in the coming days.