Stepping onto the San Benito basketball floor for the first time in nearly two years Tuesday seemed like a dream, or a memory from all those years ago, for San Benito graduate Victoria Aguilera.
And she wasn’t the only one to think that way.
In front of current players, and family and friends, 25 former Balers returned to Mattson Gym on Tuesday to help benefit the San Benito basketball program, and to simply play again.
“It’s awesome – it’s just like the old days,” Aguilera said. “It’s good to play back on your hometown floor. It’s nice we get to come back and play at our high school.”
It was the first time Aguilera, who graduated in 2009, played on the Mattson floor since her last game at San Benito.
Tuesday’s alumni games, that included a four-quarter women’s game and a two 20-minute halves men’s game, were used as a fundraiser for the program for the second time. The first alumni games were held in 2009.
San Benito head coach David Kaplansky organized the event on both occasions. The idea was to simply give former players the opportunity to play again and to have some fun.
“We are just trying to get players out,” Kaplansky said. “Get the old guys out here and have some fun. We had a good turnout. It was fun to see the ex-players and some of the guys I played with.”
He continued: “I just want to keep the program going and having them come back and play. Once a Baler, always a Baler.”
The former athletes appreciate the opportunity – regardless of how in-shape they are.
“I just wanted to see my old teammates and support the basketball team,” 2008 graduate Shireen Zamani said. “I think it’s really important. I’m glad it keeps getting organized. People enjoy seeing the old faces. It’s been a long time since I’ve played so I’m tired. But it’s funny to see everyone else in the same condition.”
The highlight for many in attendance – gauging by the loud applause – was seeing 2005 graduate Kyle Sharp on the floor. The former Montana Grizzly kept the crowd enthused with a few dunks.
For Sharp, Tuesday’s game was about playing with his former teammates – some of whom he hadn’t seen – and playing with the new players, he said. Also ,the contest gives back to the program the players left behind.
“It’s great to give back to the community,” Sharp said. “A lot of this is for us, but a lot of this is for the fans. A lot of guys have never played against each other. I was here a long time ago so it was fun to see those guys play.”
He continued: “It’s just seeing the old guys, seeing the guys I played with in high school. We try to see each other out and about in the community, but we don’t. Seeing them here, that’s the best part.”
In the women’s game, Aguilera’s red team beat the white squad 34-24. In the men’s game, the white team beat Kaplansky and Sharp’s red squad 68-65.
The final score of each game was a footnote for the squads, which were just happy to be there.
“It’s just fun,” Kaplansky said. “It’s all for fun. Guys can come out here and have some fun and get a good sweat.”
Kaplansky plans to have the game every year, he said.
