The ‘Baler boys will take on Piedmont Hills, Lady ‘Balers to
battle Salinas and the Hawks will take on Castilleja
HOLLISTER
Three area basketball teams will be in action today for the Central Coast Section Basketball Playoffs, including both the Haybalers and Lady ‘Balers from San Benito High as well as the Hawks girls basketball team from Anzar High.
SAN BENITO HIGH BOYS BASKETBALL
The No. 9 Haybalers (15-12) will play No. 1 Piedmont Hills (26-1) in the quarterfinal round at Independence High School in San Jose at 2:45 p.m.
San Benito is coming off a 63-60 upset victory against No. 8 Independence High on Thursday night, while this will be Piedmont Hills’ first game since Feb. 20.
The ‘Balers have not played Piedmont Hills this season, although the two teams do have two common opponents: Palma and Milpitas. While both teams beat Milpitas – Piedmont Hills won 63-28 and San Benito did the same, 53-47 – the Pirates were able to defeat Hollister’s league rival in the Chieftains.
San Benito lost twice to Palma, 65-38 and 54-51, but Piedmont Hills upended the private Salinas school 52-46.
If you go, Independence High School is located at 1776 Educational Park Drive in San Jose, and the gymnasium is located on the back side of the school on Jackson Avenue.
The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal round will advance to Wednesday’s semifinals to take on the victor between No. 4 Serra (11-15) and No. 5 Salinas (21-7).
Other quarterfinal matchups in Division I include No. 11 Homestead (14-12) versus No. 3 Carlmont (21-4) and No. 7 Alisal (19-8) against No. 2 Bellarmine (18-8).
SAN BENITO HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL
The No. 1 Lady ‘Balers (21-4) will play No. 8 Salinas (17-11) in the quarterfinal round at Milpitas High School at 4:30 p.m.
This will be San Benito’s first game of the postseason, but their third game this season against Salinas. The Cowboys are coming off a 52-42 win against No. 9 Monta Vista (16-10) on Thursday night, although they have yet to defeat the Lady ‘Balers this season.
San Benito beat Salinas 49-38 on Jan. 28, then 38-27 on Feb. 20, which was the last time the Lady ‘Balers played in a game.
In that contest, San Benito forced 35 turnovers on the Cowboys and clinched a share of the Tri-County Athletic League title with North Salinas.
If you go, Milpitas High School is located at 1285 Escuela Parkway in Milpitas.
The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal round would advance to Wednesday’s semifinals to take on the winner of No. 5 Gilroy (17-10) and No. 4 Piedmont Hills (19-9).
Other quarterfinal games in Division I include No. 7 Oak Grove (18-5) against No. 2 Carlmont (18-8) and No. 6 Santa Teresa (16-9) against No. 3 Evergreen Valley (21-5).
ANZAR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL
In Division V, the No. 6 Hawks (13-10) will play in just their second postseason game ever when they take on No. 3 Castilleja (20-7) in the quarterfinal round at St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School at 4:30 p.m.
This will be the first postseason game for both teams this year, however, after there were only eight teams admitted to the D-V playoffs.
And not only have Anzar and Castilleja not played each other this season, but they have no common opponents either.
Last year, the Hawks qualified for the CCS playoffs for the first time in school history, but lost their opening round matchup to Saint Lawrence 47-26. This year in the preseason, Anzar lost to Saint Lawrence, which is located in Santa Clara, 46-23.
Nevertheless, the Hawks are winners of nine straight games going into today’s game, while Castilleja, which is located in Palo Alto, is fresh off a 61-41 loss to Pinewood.
Pinewood, though, is the top-seeded team in Division V.
If you go, St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School is located at 2400 East Lake Avenue in Watsonville.
The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup will move on to Wednesday’s semifinal round where they will take on the winner of No. 7 Pacific Collegiate (15-6) and No. 2 St. Francis CCC (21-6).
In other D-V games, No. 5 Saint Lawrence (21-5) will take on No. 4 Eastside College Prep (14-14) and No. 8 York (8-4) will eye an upset against No. 1 Pinewood (25-4).
Check back tonight for the latest updates from San Jose, Milpitas and Watsonville.
