A few months ago, Matt Carlino wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play his junior year at Bloomington South High School, it was all in the hands of the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Carlino is a Indiana University basketball recruit that had transferred to Bloomington from a Arizona High School over last summer. Matt’s father, Mark was relieved when he heard the news that his son would be cleared to play this coming basketball season, “That’s probably the best way to put it. We felt all along Matt would be declared eligible, but understand they have to do what they have to do. The IHSAA has a tough job.”
But now it’s Bloomington South’s opponents that are having the tough job, of stopping Carlino and his Panther teammates. B.S. started the season off with a 69-61 win over New Albany, then a 71-51 beating of Bedford North Lawrence. Carlino scored 21 points, had 3 boards, and 4 steals in that contest. On Friday night Carlino scored 18 points in leading the Class 4A Panthers to a 72-43 conference win over the Southport Cardinals. Carlino thinks this team has what it takes to make a run at a state title. “We just need to play to the best of our ability I think. Defense is huge, always. And rebounding. If we can play to the best of our ability, we’re going to be tough to hang with. There’s a lot of other good teams out there that if they play to the best of their ability, they’re really good too. It will be a fun year.“
The Panthers host Terre Haute North on Saturday night and Lawrence Central on December 18th. To check out the full Bloomington South schedule click here.
