Carroll looks to end drought against Central Catholic

Those field goal percentage numbers on the Carroll boys basketball stat sheetare not a misprint.

Sophomore guard Jarin Bush leads the area in field goal percentage at 73.6. Senior forward Ryan Spesard (69.4) and sophomore forward Brandon Dillon (64.8) are in the top five.

First-year Carroll coach Matt Weaver says those numbers come from playing to the Cougars’ strengths in the post. Carroll will try to use that execution to end a 12-game losing streak to Class A No. 8 Central Catholic, known for defensive intensity and quickness.

“They have a lot of quickness and athleticism overall,” Weaver said. “They apply a lot of pressure and get up and down the floor really well. Controlling the tempo of the game is important for us.”

Carroll will, as usual, enjoy a size advantage tonight. Senior forward Eric Miller stands 6-foot-7, while Bush, Dillon, Spesard and senior forward Jay Hodson are all 6-5.

The Knights have dealt with that sort of size disadvantage.

“We’ll try to man them early and see if we can handle it,” CC coach Dave Barrett said. “If we happen to go zone, we have to know where Miller’s at, because he’s been lighting it up.”