Wednesday is
”
Don’t be kind to cats
”
Day for Hollister High.
Wednesday is “Don’t be kind to cats” Day for Hollister High.
The Baler boys welcome the Wildcats of St. Ignatius in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division I basketball tournament. The Baler girls take Hwy 129 to tangle with the Wildcats of Watsonville.
To that I say “Meow!”
Both teams will be in a real cat fight and that’s the way it should be. This is the high school’s version of March Madness. It just happens to begin in late February.
Both Baler teams need to come out with their claws extended. To the suspecting eye and speaking all things relative, the Baler boys appear to have the tougher draw in the basketball-rich SI. Yet, the Balers will have the homecourt advantage and that could prove huge in a tight game.
The Baler girls have the easier draw, but have to play in hostile territory.
Then there’s the ‘both teams playing the same night’ factor. Common sense tells me that the bulk of the Baler fans will stay home and not take the rugged trip west to strawberry country, especially if the roads are slick. The Baler girls have a pretty good following and some parents who can let it all hang out vocally.
I expect both Baler teams to give a good account of themselves. There is no reason not to.
It comes from inside.
This is the CCS playoffs. I’ve examined the brackets and each Hollister team is good enough to make it to the CCS finals. That’s not a ludicrous statement. Track record isn’t good for either team. The Baler girls program is 3-11 in CCS play, while the Baler boys are 8-13.
But, hey! Past is past.
I stand as a witness that these two teams can play high-caliber basketball. They just need to do it for 32 minutes. Actually, there are many similiarities in the these two Baler teams. These negative similarities need to be turned into positives by Wednesday:
Both teams have been inconsistent at the free throw line.
Both teams have been suspect in regards to handling the ball.
Both teams miss a great deal of putbacks, tipins and sometimes layins.
Then there are just plain similarities:
Both teams rely on the interior to provide the offense, though each team has a senior shooting guard who can go off for big numbers.
Both teams have a sophomore point guard still learning on the job.
Both teams have the size advantage against most teams they line up against.
Speaking of which, the Baler boys will have to block out like they never have before. This is the West Catholic Athletic League’s version of Live Oak. Big trees are a-coming. The Balers girls, meanwhile, should have a big height advantage with Sarah Groman, Naomi Ruiz and Jaime Hall. That trio, along with Jennifer Tremblay should be tigers on the boards against the ‘Catz.
The Baler boys have to go all out on the glass. They need to sell out. Take the ball to the rack hard and when you release the shot, be soft. Against Palma, the Balers missed about 10 cripples because 1) They were too hard with the shot, and 2) They didn’t use the backboard, choosing instead to toss the ball right at the rim.
This rim is where much of this game will be played. And it’s whoever wants it the most when the ball is up for grabs is going to be the likely winner.
It comes from inside.
Seven seniors on the Baler boys side and five seniors on the girls do not want to be playing their final game. They should be the leaders on the floor Wednesday night. They need to show the younger players what CCS is all about.
This CCS business isn’t new for many of the Baler girls. They’ve been there the past five years. The Baler boys failed to qualify for CCS a year ago, meaning all the players on this year’s version have never been there before.
That is why it is absolutely fantastic that the Baler boys will be playing in the friendly confines of Mattson Gym. The Haybaler fans need to tread on the side of good sportsmanship, but proper catcalls are encouraged. And please! All you young fans leave your basketballs at home. This isn’t your show. This is the Baler varsity’s show. They’ve earned it. Besides, you can’t play hoop before, at the half, or after the game. Basketballs, footballs, tennis balls, etc. should be barred at the gate anyway.
And, fans, get to the game, get your seat and stay there. There’s too much walking back and forth in front of the scorer’s table during the game. It’s distracting to both teams, the men doing their job at the table, yours truly, to say nothing of the players and referees. You’re there to watch and root for your team, not be seen.
And if you’re going to Watsonville, same goes. Stay focused, disciplined and poised, just like the Baler players need to be. This is CCS. Respect it.
If both teams play to win, there is no reason why they can’t be both playing on Saturday. And remember, it comes from inside.
