The future is bright for the Mentor Cardinals boys basketball team.
The present isn’t too bad either for Coach Bob Krizancic and company.
Sophomore guard Caden Kryz hit 7 3-pointers and scored 30 points, and sophomore Tadas Tatarunas chipped in 13 points as Mentor ran away from Gate City (VA), 89-68, at the Arby’s Classic in Bristol (TN) on Dec. 30.
The Cardinals (7-2) will play Father Henry Carr of Canada on New Year’s Eve at 1 p.m. for sixth place. Mentors two losses are both in double overtime this season, on opening night to Brunswick and in the first round at the Arby’s Classic to David Crockett (TN).
“We had two sophomores lead us in scoring and a couple of juniors make big contributions, so I really like where we are at right now,” Krizancic said.
“Caden had seven 3s, but he also had four 2s and attacked the bucket and he is getting better with more playing time and doing what we are asking him to do. Allen Sims and Jack Korsok scored for us, and once we get Kyle McIntosh back to do all the little things and be a leader, we have a chance to be a really good team. I like what I am seeing.”
Mentor trailed, 8-1, early, but made a run to take control of the game.
The Cardinals outscored Gate City in each quarter, leading by 12 at halftime.
“We made our run and kept the lead most of the game. I liked the effort and the tempo,” Krizancic said.
“Tadas is getting stronger in the paint and we have some young guys stepping up. We can be a very good team moving forward.”
