SALINAS
The San Benito High girls basketball team held Notre Dame to just seven field goals for the second time this season on Friday night in Salinas, where the Lady ‘Balers jumped out to a 34-6 halftime lead en route to an easy 47-20 victory.
Vanessa Farias scored 12 points and Megan Halstead added 10 for San Benito, which improves to 9-1 in the Tri-County Athletic League and keeps pace with North Salinas (9-1 TCAL), which defeated Gilroy Friday.
But it was once again San Benito’s defense that led the way, holding Notre Dame to just two points in the first quarter and holding leading scorer Shanae Gasperson (14 ppg) to just two field goals in the game.
“Our defensive effort was tremendous,” San Benito head coach David Kaplansky said. “The girls rotated excellently on Gasperson. We just did a great job of keeping the ball out of her hands.”
San Benito, at 19-4 overall, previously defeated the Spirits 59-27 on Jan. 21, when they held Notre Dame scoreless in the first quarter.
On Friday with their commanding 28-point halftime lead, the Lady ‘Balers emptied the bench but never allowed the Spirits to mount any sort of a comeback in the third and fourth quarters.
“I just thought it was great, watching all the effort the girls put in today,” Kaplansky said. “One through 11, they all played hard.”
San Benito will play their final two games of the regular season next week. On Wednesday, the Lady ‘Balers will visit Alisal, while Salinas will come to Hollister on Friday for the season finale.
Both games will tip-off at 7 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 3 4 F
SB 16 18 7 6 47
ND 2 4 9 5 20
San Benito (47): E. Glasspool 0 2 0-2 6, V. Farias 5 0 2-2 12, V. Casalegno 0 1 1-4 4, N. Rianda 2 0 0-0 4, M. Halstead 5 0 0-1 10, M. Vallejo 2 0 0-0 4, L. Ademek 1 0 2-2 4, J. Guerrero 0 0 1-6 1.
JV Note:
The San Benito girls junior varsity basketball team defeated host Notre Dame 45-30 on Friday in Salinas behind a 20-point fourth quarter effort.
Michelle Fortino had 15 points, Jackie Echaorre had 10, Cyrena Salinas added nine, Melisah Cortez supplied four and Kim Warner contributed three.
The Lady ‘Balers are now 6-4 in the Tri-County Athletic League, 16-5 overall.
“This is probably the best game we’ve had all year, as far as team play, executing of plays and patience,” San Benito head coach Karen Fortino said. “These girls really came together tonight and played a great game.”
San Benito only led 25-22 going into the fourth quarter before they outscored the Spirits 20-8 in the final period.
“It was a great all-around game,” Fortino said.
San Benito will visit Alisal on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 3 4 F
SB 11 6 8 20 45
ND 7 8 7 8 30
