Despite returning just one starter from a team that finished second in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division a year ago, San Benito High girls basketball coach Mitch Burley expects good things for the upcoming season.
“I’d be disappointed if we didn’t finish in the top three in league,” said Burley, who is entering his fifth year on the job. “I was a little apprehensive at first, but what I found out was the girls coming up from the junior varsity can play a little.”
The Haybalers, who opened the season with against Piedmont Hills on Tuesday, return only three players who have varsity experience: Callee Heen, Jessica Bueno and Madisyn Gutierrez-Urban. Heen is the squad’s lone returning starter, a tough and talented 5-foot-7 power forward who can do it all.
“Callee is athletic and one of our better rebounders,” Burley said. “She’s got speed and quickness, and we anticipate her being our top scorer. She’s good around the basket and in transition.”
Bueno, a senior off guard, has a solid shot from 3-point range. Bueno also has a knack for getting in the lane and scoring on floaters. Gutierrez-Urban, a senior small forward, is another experienced player who will be relied upon in crunch time.
“Maddy has a good feel for the game,” Burley said. “She’s a good passer and has a decent mid-range shot.”
Burley projects his three seniors to start for the majority of the season, and they’ll be flanked by a couple of promising underclassmen. Alyssa Ito, a freshman point guard, is one of the most athletic girls at the school. Ito played volleyball in the fall and most likely will play a sport in the spring season.
“Alyssa has a lot of skill and grit,” Burley said. “She’s got a great competitiveness about her, and she really knows how to play the game because of her high basketball IQ. She’s an adequate 3-point shooter, handles the ball well and is one of those girls who learn something the first time you tell them.”
The Balers should receive a boost from 5-9 post Jessica Curto, a junior who recently moved to the area after playing at Ponderosa High School last year.
“Jessica has some strength to her and will add a lot to our team,” Burley said. “She’s got good all-around skills, can shoot, is a really good passer and understands how to play the game.”
Burley expects three players—Ashley Sparrer, Kianna Garcia and Mariya Banuelos—to make an impact. Sparrer is a junior forward who rebounds well and plays solid defense, and Garcia is a junior guard who can shoot the 3-pointer while also being adept at handling the ball.
Banuelos has worked ultra hard to improve her game.
“Mariya has showed me a lot,” Burley said. “She’s really picked up the offense well, and she knows where to go all the time. She’s one of our better post players, so I see her playing quite a bit at the 4 or 5 spot.”
Even though San Benito doesn’t have a go-to player who can score inside, Burley feels his team will be able to score some points in the paint off of putbacks and dribble penetration. The Balers also have some decent shooters, and Burley hopes that will translate into some major points.
As always, ball-handling plays a crucial role to the success for a high school basketball team. A year ago, the Balers did well handling pressure against teams in league play, with the exception of defending champion North Salinas, which was able to force San Benito into a number of mistakes. If this year’s team can handle full-court pressure, it will contend for a league championship.
“I’m excited about the depth we have on the team this year,” Burley said.
