As far as tournaments go, the San Benito boys basketball team hopes it fares better in this one than it did in the last.
After struggling to two losses and early elimination in Gilroy’s Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament earlier this month, the Haybalers begin play in the North Monterey County Tournament today intent on a better showing. Qualifying for a third game in this eight-team tournament would be a good start–San Benito would need to win at least one of its first two games to do so–but the ‘Balers face an uphill battle from the start.
Waiting for San Benito when it takes the court in Castroville this afternoon will be Serra, the Northern California powerhouse. The ‘Balers and their fans will remember the Padres as the team that eliminated Kyle Sharp-led San Benito in the Central Coast Section semifinals last March en route to their runner-up finish in the CIF State Championship.
Serra is at it again, entering today’s 5:00 contest as the top-ranked team in CCS and No. 22 in California, according to maxpreps.com.
Nevertheless, don’t expect the ‘Balers to run and hide, despite their opponent’s laurels.
“We’re not afraid,” said San Benito head coach John Becerra. “We’re never timid. We’ll play anybody, anytime.”
The rest of the draw in the tournament appears a bit more pedestrian. Carmel, Salinas, San Lorenzo Valley, Soledad, Alvarez and host North Monterey County round out the field in this three-day affair.
Despite its formidable, first-round opponent, San Benito enters the tournament with the same objectives that Becerra has installed from Day 1.
“We’re always hoping to play well,” said Becerra, “to play to our potential and execute. We need to play with aggressiveness, intensity and hustle. If we do all those, good things will happen.”
With Tri-County Athletic League play right around the corner, the ‘Balers have only this tournament remaining to make any last-minute adjustments. But Becerra believes his team is already equipped with the knowledge it needs to have a successful season.
“By this time, we should have everything under control,” said Becerra, whose team opens league play at Gilroy on Jan. 7. “The goal is to continue to improve on everything–man-to-man, zone, running plays. … We’re pretty close to being a very good team.”
As far as drawing Serra to start the tournament, Becerra said his team will walk away from the contest improved–regardless of the outcome.
“We’ve faced good teams and we’ve played with them,” said Becerra, noting San Benito’s victories over Fremont (Sunnyvale) and Homestead and its loss to Cupertino. “Anytime you play tough teams, it helps us overall. Anytime you play a Serra, it doesn’t hurt you, whatever happens.”
