It’s amazing the effect confidence can have on a team or a lack
of it can have on individuals.
It’s amazing the effect confidence can have on a team or a lack of it can have on individuals.
My guess is that the San Benito boys’ basketball team in preseason would have been picked near the bottom of the Tri-County Athletic League. After all, the book on the Haybalers might have read something like this – has one dependable scorer in Todd Janisch, has quickness and athleticism in the backcourt and only one player with any height who is not a scoring threat.
Throw the book out. The ‘Balers gained confidence with every passing minute in their game last week with Gilroy. A team that had no business talentwise being on the same court as the Mustangs pulled the shocker of the early season. And yet, teams are judged by what they do in their next game.
So San Benito laid a 62-36 beating on talented offensive-minded Alvarez. Harvey Todd, averaging 27.7 points per game, got seven. The ‘Balers are a team with a full head of steam and one that will have something to say in the TCAL race.
Now, let’s turn things around and look at the Gilroy girls’ basketball team. Nobody questions the Mustangs’ work ethic or heart. One can question the confidence level of some of the players.
It’s one thing not to want to let your teammates down, which is evident that some of the Gilroy girls feel when they give up open outside shots or hang their heads when they miss. All that does, however, is place more of a burden on Dana Schoeneman, Russhelle Preeshl and the inside players.
It also allows opposing defenses to collapse their zones and clog the lane, which takes away Vanessa Wilkins drives. So, in essence, the Mustangs have limited offensive options like against North Salinas last week when Schoeneman’s 21-point, 22-rebound effort went to waste. Two nights earlier when Preeshl had 22 points and 17 rebounds, Gilroy barely hung on to defeat San Benito.
If I were a coach and had the resources, I would make the game film of the boys contest between Gilroy and San Benito required viewing. And then I would make the team sit through a viewing of the ‘Balers’ game against Alvarez.
My speech would be summed up in one sentence – with confidence you can accomplish anything you set out to do.
That is particularly true in the TCAL among the girls teams. It is a little different for the boys where experienced Palma has the best player in the league in Orlando Johnson who provides matchup problems for any opponent. The Chieftains are not unbeatable. Gilroy played Palma even for 17 minutes during the TCAL opener before the 6-5 Johnson, headed for Division I Loyola Marymount, proved to be too much. And Alvarez scored 81 points against Palma in a loss. Also, if San Benito continues on its roll and Gilroy comes anywhere near to playing to its potential, the race could get exciting.
As for the girls race, some other team needs to exhibit the confidence that North Salinas showed in its win over the Mustangs. A look at the stat sheet shows how much more confident the Vikings were than Gilroy. Edthel Lugo missed 11 shots and never hung her head. She scored nine points to back up Briana Mathews, who missed 11 shots and led the team with 12.
The point is, a little confidence goes a long way. And the points follow.
Contact Marc David at (408) 842-1694 or at md****@sv**********.com.
