CARSON - One of the true tests for a team is how to respond when your dealt with early adversity. 

San Pedro High boys basketball was able to respond brilliantly in their Marine League opener at Carson.

Early on, it looked like the Pirates would dominate with a double-digit lead in the third quarter, but the Colts battled back to tie the game late. San Pedro responded with a 10-0 run in the final 3:30 to finally polish off Carson, 61-51 in the league opener for both teams. With this hard-fought win, the Pirates would improve to 6-0 overall as they appear to be one of the front-runners in a wide-open league title chase.

Senior guard Austin Freitas would lead the Pirates with 15 points off the bench, while junior forward Quincy Thomas contributed with 13 points and six rebounds. Junior point guard Isaac Stell scored 11 points, all in the first half, and contributed with seven assists and two steals for San Pedro, who led 45-28 midway through the third quarter.

Behind heady play from guards Justin Holden and Tony Ingram, the Colts went on a 23-6 run that carried into the fourth quarter. Ingram's driving one-handed floater tied the score at 51-51 with 3:30 remaining in the game.

From that point on, San Pedro would take control.

First, Stell hits senior guard Elijah Gaines with a perfect pass leading to a layup that put the Pirates ahead for good, then senior Michael Garcia drilled a three-pointer, and then a layup by Thomas forced a Carson time out with 2:13 to go, putting the Pirates up 58-51 before a layup by junior guard Zach Foster and a Thomas free-throw sealed the deal.

Holden led Carson (1-5, 0-1) with 14 points, Ingram had 12 points, and Tyler Brown scored 10.

In the girls game that followed, San Pedro lost to Carson, 78-35. The Colts held star sophomore Rita Fiorenza in check, as she only scored 10 points which led the Lady Pirates (1-2 overall, 0-1 league). Sophomore  guard Emily Iacono scored 7 for San Pedro.

Both teams will continue league play on Friday at King-Drew Medical of Los Angeles.