CARROLL — For two quarters Monday unheralded Perry gave Raccoon River Conference boys champion Carroll all the hosts could handle, but in the end the talented Tigers proved too much.
Perry (0-20) survived a 10-0 Carroll (18-4) run midway through the first half to remain within striking distance at the intermission before the hosts overwhelmed the Bluejays for an 86-46 win in the first round of 3A Substate 8 play.
The win will allow Carroll to host Winterset (14-6), a 67-51 winner over Harlan in the first game Monday. The two teams — who split during the regular season — will meet Thursday.
To pull the upset Perry needed every break to go their way, and in the first half it appeared as if that was likely to happen. Carroll used a 10-0 run to help grab a 23-15 lead after one quarter, but Perry had banked in three off-line 3-point baskets, with two others finding their way into the net in the second frame to help offset six first-half treys from the hosts.
Carroll led, 39-27, at the half after scoring perhaps half of their points off at least 10 offensive rebounds. The Tigers were greatly aided by the presence of 6-8 post Kurenege More, who was playing in only his third game of the season.
Perry had taken care of the ball in the first half and played with confidence despite being huge underdogs. Carroll had whipped Perry, 89-15, in the Tiger gym early in December and then thumped the host Bluejays, 73-49, in their second meeting.
In the third meeting between the longtime foes the Perry not only tripled their score from their first visit to Carroll but also scored their second-most points in a game this season. The final two games against the Tigers saw the Jays score their most, and tie for their second-most, points in any of their 20 games.
Eventually the greater size and speed of the Tigers took hold Monday, with Carroll outscoring their guests, 21-6, in the third quarter to open a 60-33 margin. Though in control of the game, Carroll continued to launch 3-pointers and outscored Perry, 26-13, in the fourth quarter to post the 40-point margin of victory.
Brendan Ivory led Perry with 19 points, with June Rey Reisberg and Keghan West each adding seven points. Kato Dougan scored six points, Avery Meister, Carlos Calderon and Alex Morales two points apiece and Chase Archer one point.
More led all scorers with 20 points for the hosts, with Colby Vincent tallying 18. Colby Christenen, Jang Jioklow, Jacob Tunning and Tyler Tunning had eight points apiece, with Karter Lein providing five points. Tory Feldman and Slade Sibenaller each had four points, with Kelin Jones adding two points and Devin Baack one.
Calderon, Morales and Mario Cruz — who missed the game with an injury — had their prep cage careers end with the loss.
