Hollister High nearly pulled off an upset of league-leading
Salinas in a boys basketball contest Wednesday night. But the
Cowboys, using a feasting defense, reeled off the last nine points
to prevail 54-47.
Hollister High nearly pulled off an upset of league-leading Salinas in a boys basketball contest Wednesday night. But the Cowboys, using a feasting defense, reeled off the last nine points to prevail 54-47.
“I was proud of my boys to play the way they did down there,” said Baler head coach David Kaplansky. “They showed a lot of character. I don’t accept losing. We needed this game to win the championship. But the effort the kids made at their place on Senior Night, I’m so proud of that.”
The Balers (20-6, 6-3) led 47-45 with 2:14 left, but the Cowboys’ Casey Neleigh led a defensive charge with four straight steals. He fed the ball to Drew Sanchez, who scored while being fouled. Sanchez converted the three-point play and the Cowboys led 48-47.
Kyle Sharp led the Balers with 10 points while Anthony Butler and Broc Sondgroth had nine points each. Sanchez had a league season-low 14 points for Salinas.
“We did a great job defensively on Sanchez,” said Kaplansky. “The boys did everything I asked them to do. We worked hard all week for this game. I have to get them ready for Palma now.”
The Balers entertain Palma Friday at 7 p.m.
The Cowboys (21-4, 9-0) clinched the Tri-County Athletic League title with the victory with one game remaining in the season.
Both teams play in Division I of the CCS with seedings being determined Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Balers could possibly get one home game, depending on where they are seeded.
