By Tommy Howard

thoward@gtowntimes.com

Carvers Bay Bears boys varsity won their game Monday over the Raiders of Hannah-Pamplico, 77 to 66.

At one stage of the game, the Bears were ahead by about 30 points.

It wasn't so much that the Bears lost steam as Coach Jeff Mezzatesta wanted to give everyone on his team some playing time.

"I thought they played well," Coach "Mezz" said afterwards.

"The first eight got them where they needed to be competitively. In the third quarter, they pulled away. I'm very proud of them," he said.

In the fourth quarter, though, the Bears gave up 31 points to the Raiders.

That's when the young kids played.

"Most never played varsity basketball before," he said. "Now, we've got them on film. They know I was disappointed. When they know that, they'll learn."

Since the team has three games on the schedule for this week, Mezzatesta said he had to give all the players on the team some floor time. "I just wish it wasn't so close."

But, he added, "A win is a win. Sometimes the score doesn't always reflect the game."

He said the team has improved since their first outing against H-P. "With St. James here Wednesday, we'll see what happens."

"It's nice to be 4-0," he said with a grin.

Right now, the team has a lot of young talent. "We're losing a lot next year with Carlton (Geathers) and Angelo (Brown)."

Even though H-P's high scoring in the fourth quarter caused some anxious moments, Mezzatesta told the kids he wasn't going to take them out. They are a team.

"I'm really proud of Teondre (Bromell) and Angelo." Bromell scored 21 points and Angelo Brown scored 18, leading the Bears.

"Carlton's still got a long ways to go," he said. Geathers scored 9 points.

Da'Shaun Aiken made 11 points as the other leading scorer in double digits.

Hannah-Pamplico also had three double-digit players: Devonta Ellis with 16, Taz Scott with 11 and Dre Gordon with 10.

Scoring by quarters for Carvers Bay: 21, 21, 20 and 20, for 77 points total.

For H-P, 8, 19, 9 and 30 for 66 points.

"Region play starts next week," Mezzatesta said. "We've got two more games to try to improve."