CASTRO VALLEY >> Sam Pyzer led the way with 15 points and the Middletown Mustangs, with only four practices under their belts, had little trouble beating Marin Academy of San Rafael 61-27 in the opening round of the Redwood Christian Tournament on Tuesday night in Castro Valley.
Middletown plays College Prep tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the winner’s semifinal round. The tournament wraps up Friday.
Off to another late start because of Middletown’s involvement in the football playoffs, the basketball Mustangs haven’t had much time together on the floor in the early going of the 2015-16 season, according to head coach G.J. Rockwell, who has the added burden of breaking in five new players.
“Between football and the (Thanksgiving) holiday, we’ve had only four practices,” Rockwell said. “It was sloppy as expected but we played good defense and rebounded the ball very well. I told them those were two things we could control after only four practices and we did.”
Middletown (1-0) put the game away early and had a comfortable 39-10 lead by halftime. Pyzer, a senior transfer, also hit one of the Mustangs’ four 3-pointers.
“He can shoot a little bit,” Rockwell said of the guard/forward.
Jake Rivera added eight points, one of 12 Mustangs to find the scoring column. Josh Rebolledo and Trevor Lafave added six points apiece.
After the Redwood Christian Tournament, the Mustangs are off until Dec. 15 when they play at Piedmont. They return home Dec. 17 for the start of the 22nd annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic, which Middletown hosts this year.
