San Benito defeats Gilroy 50-46 in boys basketball Saturday
In a game where both teams were probably left wondering if there was a lid on the basket at certain moments, the San Benito Haybalers proved to have just a little more ammo in their arsenal against Gilroy Saturday, as they defeated their league- and crosstown-rival 50-46.
Marty Bueno had 14 points, six assists and five steals, and Brian Haggett added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists for the ‘Balers, who improved to 2-1 in the Tri-County Athletic League after their victory at Mattson Gym in Hollister.
Derek Jensen scored a game-high 15 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Mustangs (0-2), who are still searching for their first TCAL win. Marshad Johnson added 14 points, 15 boards and three blocks, while Lorenzo Dobson had 13 points, nine rebounds and a block for Gilroy.
“That’s great,” San Benito coach John Becerra said of his team’s 2-1 start to the season. “Every team is tough … It was a struggle, a real struggle, to get this victory. Their big guys make it difficult because it’s hard to guard them.”
Becerra was referring to “big guys” Johnson and Dobson – listed at 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-8, respectively – who seemingly owned the paint for much of the game Saturday.
When San Benito went inside, they’d be there for a block attempt. When San Benito was defending, they’d be looking to receive the ball in the post.
“They’re a very physical team. We’ve got two kids that are physical in Dobson and Johnson,” Gilroy coach Bud Ogden said. “We’re more of a finesse team after that.”
Without a lot of height to match, the ‘Balers played their physical brand of basketball instead. San Benito forward Kevin Burley noted afterward that’s the game plan every time.
“As you can see, we’re small compared to everyone else,” said Burley, who scored four points but pulled down a team-high eight rebounds. “We have to play bigger than we are.”
The ‘Balers jumped out to an early 12-6 first-quarter lead, but neither shot above 22 percent from the field in the opening stanza, which saw San Benito start with a 5-0 lead after a technical foul on Dobson.
During the pre-game warmups, Dobson was called for dunking, but Ogden said it was nothing he hasn’t done all season during warmups. As a result, however, Bueno hit both free throws, and then sunk a trey to put San Benito up 5-0.
“Those five points turned out to be huge,” Ogden said. “But the game is bigger than the opening tip. We’ve been decimated by injuries but that’s not gonna stop them from playing hard.”
The Mustangs turned it around in the second quarter, and took a 22-20 halftime lead.
San Benito, though, adjusted to both Dobson and Johnson in the second half. Becerra said his team was taking too many quick shots early on, and felt an extra pass was needed in order to open up the floor, as well as move Dobson and Johnson away from the basket.
“Late in the third (quarter) and early in the fourth, we began to pass and pass and pass and get some easy shots,” Becerra said. “We did go inside in the second half, but it was a little more controlled.”
The extra pass completely turned San Benito’s offense around. After shooting a dismal 19 percent (7 of 36) in the first half, the ‘Balers followed it with a 50 percent (11 of 22) showing in the third and fourth quarters.
San Benito shot 18 of 58 from the field with five 3-pointers for the game, and 9 of 15 from the free-throw line. The Mustangs hit 17 of 53 field goals, 11 of 18 from the line.
“We couldn’t get the ball in the hoop to start,” Jensen said. “They played tough defense the whole game.
“Every game counts so much. You only have 12 games … Every game is so important now.”
Gilroy (6-11) will look to rebound Tuesday when they host North Salinas at 7 p.m., while the ‘Balers (12-6) will travel to Salinas to take on Everett Alvarez Tuesday at 7 p.m.
GIL 6 16 7 17 46
SB 12 8 15 15 50
GIL (46) – Dobson 6-11 0-1 13, Harrell 0-1 2-2 2, Jensen 5-19 5-8 15, Johnson 5-11 4-7 14, Wheat 1-3 0-0 2.
Three-point goals: Dobson 1.
SB (50) – Bueno 5-14 2-3 14, Burley 1-2 2-2 4, Canchola 2-9 1-2 7, Haggett 5-14 3-4 13, Von Urff 3-4 0-0 7, Zanella 2-5 1-2 5.
Three-point goals: Bueno 2, Canchola 2, Von Urff 1.
JV Note:
Gilroy – 61
San Benito – 49
Frosh Note:
San Benito – 48
Gilroy – 46
