Baler hoopsters fall from mistakes
Maybe the reason the women came out flat against the Watsonville
Wildcats was that it was the San Benito Haybalers’ first preseason
game.
Baler hoopsters fall from mistakes
Maybe the reason the women came out flat against the Watsonville Wildcats was that it was the San Benito Haybalers’ first preseason game.
Perhaps the Haybalers’ lack of offense in the 39-29 loss to the Wildcats at Bob Mattson Gym Saturday stems from their dynamic point guard moving over to the shooting guard position. Maybe the Haybalers were out-muscled on the backboards because two of the team’s tallest players still are not ready to play.
Whatever explanation the Haybaler women have for lackluster performance versus the height-challenged Wildcats, San Benito basketball Coach Rich Silva does not want to hear it.
“We did not make plays and we were out of sync,” said Silva after witnessing his team muster only 29 points. “Our fast breaks were congested we panicked on inbound passes and missed lay-ups. We have to make a lot of corrections and adjustments.”
The Haybalers also had no cure for what really ailed them – the scoring touch of Wildcats guard Selina Green. Green poured in 12 points and led a 10-1 run to close out the fourth quarter.
Green had free reign once the Haybalers only viable scoring threat, Gina Caianiello, fouled out with a little over three minutes left to play.
“We looked to go inside more,” said Wildcats Coach Annette Guerrero. “I think we have one of the better post up players in Selina. We wanted to utilize her talent in the post whenever the opportunity presented itself.”
With her team down three, Green pumped in a turnaround jumper before feeding a cutting teammate for an easy lay-up and a 29-28 lead. The Wildcats hit two free throws to extend the fourth quarter lead to 31-28 before Haybaler forward Crystina Osborne’s free throw cut the lead to one with 3:43 left to play.
That was the last point the Haybalers would record. Wildcats’ guard DC Placeneia hit a three-pointer with a defender’s hand in her face before Green was fouled on the team’s next possession.
Green hit one of two free throws to give the Wildcats a 35-28 cushion. The Haybalers turned the ball over on their next possession and Green made them pay again. She swished a jumper from 15 feet to seal the game.
After the game Silva lamented that his squad needs to pick up its concentration level and not to rely on reinforcements, which will come soon in the form of Sarah Groman and Kaylie Kortsen.
“We can’t worry about who is not here,” said Silva. “From what I saw, it’s going to be a growing year. I didn’t think we would fall apart like this.”
Groman and Kortsen are coming off a draining volleyball season and are still working into game shape and learning the plays. Plus Silva’s team is loaded with sophomores including point guard Trish Lee, who took over for Caianiello.
Lee is expected to split time and compete for a starting slot with senior Denisa Gonzales. Although Gonzales is the more experienced of the two Lee possesses quick feet and a steady jump shot.
