EMPIRE LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Esperanza Solves Carlson, Katella

Kevin Carlson, Katella’s 6-foot-5, 145-pound swingman, is so frail and pale that he’s almost invisible on the basketball court. But Friday night, Carlson got the attention of everybody in Katella’s gym when he scored 20 points in the third quarter--including four three-pointers--to spark a Knight comeback in an Empire League game against Esperanza.

Esperanza Coach Mark Hill was one of those who noticed, however, and that’s the main reason the Aztecs hung on for a 62-53 victory.

Hill assigned defensive ace Brad Barker to shadow Carlson in a diamond-and-one defense late in the third quarter, and while Barker didn’t shut down Carlson completely, he limited the damage the rest of the way.

Carlson, who had five points at halftime, finished with 31. Center Roger Arias was the only other Katella player in double figures with 12.

“We kind of lost track of (Carlson) in our zone for a while,” Hill said. “After we changed defenses, I was surprised they didn’t go to Arias more. They kept going to the well instead of looking for other options.”

Esperanza improved to 14-7 and 3-2 in league, with three of its next five games at home. Katella dropped to 12-6, 3-2.

Hill, who has four starters taller than 6-4, favors a set, half-court offense. But Esperanza showed it can run and gun a little, with point guard Brett Evans leading the fast break.

Evans (13 points, five steals) helped Esperanza take a 21-6 lead by the end of the first quarter, penetrating into the key and kicking the ball out to open shooters.

Shooting guard Joe Foss scored 16 points for the Aztecs, and post player Fabien Ziegler added 14.

The closest Katella got late in the game was 52-48 after Carlson hit a pair of free throws and Eric Martinez scored a basket from underneath with 2:38 left.