The Hollister High girls basketball team trekked the long trip
to Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville and found the
sledding and netting tough.
The Hollister High girls basketball team trekked the long trip to Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville and found the sledding and netting tough.
“There must have been a lid on that basket,” said Baler head coach Richard Silva.
The Balers struggled through cold shooting in the first half, but ended up with a relatively easy 51-35 victory over the Mustangs to run their non-league record to 11-3. Hollister scored 34 points in the second half, 17 in the first 16 minutes.
“We had good looks in that first half, but we couldn’t buy won,” said Silva.
Guard Gina Caianiello ended up shooting the best for the Balers, connecting on 7 of 9 baskets plus 3 of 4 free throws for 17 points. She had seven assists, six rebounds and six steals for a nice all-around game. Guard Trisha Lee had 10 points and five assists.
Six other Balers scored, including Naomi Ruiz, who had eight points to go with five rebounds. Jennifer Tremblay, who “had the game of her life at Alisal,” according to Silva, chipped in six boards.
Silva credited sophomore guard Crystina Osborne for coming off the bench and “giving the team a lift”. Osborne had four points.
The Balers won’t have the services of reserve center Kaylie Kortsen, who quit the team to play club volleyball. Kortsen’s height (6-2) might have been an asset.
“I wanted to play her with Sarah Groman, like a twin towers,” said Silva. “If anything, to intimidate the other team.”
Hollister must concern itself with readying for the Tri-County Athletic League. The Balers host North County Thursday before a road trip to Monterey on Saturday, complete with a 3 p.m. tipoff. The T-CAL slate starts a week from Thursday at home vs. Live Oak.
JV result: The Baler JVs had some rough offense, as well, and were hindered by 36 turnovers. However, Tom Dean’s club prevailed 33-25 to go to 13-2 on the year.
“It was probably our worst game of the season,” said Dean. “It shouldn’t have been this close.”
The Balers shot 14 of 80 from the field (18 percent) and just 5 for 17 from the free throw line (29 percent). The Balers did have 39 rebounds and 27 steals, which aided their cause.
Jaime Flores had eight points to lead the Balers.
