Pintos fall to Tigers

From left, California junior Damon Shaw and senior Jerry Lutz (21) scramble for the rebound during the varsity game against Versailles Friday night at California.
From left, California junior Damon Shaw and senior Jerry Lutz (21) scramble for the rebound during the varsity game against Versailles Friday night at California.

The California Pinto basketball teams hosted Versailles Friday night, where the varsity lost a hard-fought conference game to the Tigers, 76-52.

"This wasn't the outcome we wanted," California Coach Blair Scanlon said. "Versailles was quicker than us mentally and physically."

The Tigers got off to an early 22-13 lead after the first quarter and held a four-point edge at the half, 29-25. Versailles outscored California 24-11 in the third quarter and 23-16 in the fourth to take the win.

California was led by Jaden Barr with 13 points including three 3-pointers, four rebounds and two assists, while Austin Gump and Dylan Albertson each scored 10. Gump, who sank three 3-point shots, also had three rebounds and one steal, while Albertson led rebounds with six and had two assists. Jerry Lutz chipped in with six points and had five assists and three rebounds.

The Pintos had nine 3-pointers on the night, while the Tigers had 13.

Versailles (10-4 and 2-0 in Tri-County Conference) was led by Ryan Surface with 23 points, Trey Woods with 18, and Edgar Borden with 16.

California's JV defeated Versailles 62-32 led by Allan Burger with 14 points, Eli Freeman with 12, Dylan Norton with 11 and Wyatt Bestgen with 10 points.

California's freshmen also defeated Versailles, 40-31, led by Kale McAdams with 13 points and Zane Safely with 10.

The Pintos (9-4 and 2-1) will play at Hallsville Friday, beginning with the JV game at 6 p.m.

"It's going to be a tough game," Scanlon said. "We're playing at Hallsville, and it's their homecoming."

California will host Dixon Saturday, beginning with the JV game at 2:30 p.m. and the varsity game to follow.

California's freshman boys and girls will host Fatima Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.