In summer league basketball, Gilroy downs Hollister
Hollister
In the Hollister Little League District 9 Tournament, teams from the 9- and 10-, 10- and 11- and 11- and 12-year-old divisions remain alive for a Section 5 berth.
In the Major division – the 11- and 12-year-olds – Hollister American advanced to the final of the D-9 tournament after they defeated Soledad 4-1 Thursday night.
In the elimination bracket, Hollister National survived another day after they upended Atlantic 9-1 Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park.
Hollister National will now play Soledad Friday on Field 2 at 7 p.m. at Vets Park. The winner will advance to Saturday’s championship round to face Hollister American at 10 a.m.
If Hollister American falters on Saturday, it will be their first loss of the tournament, and the two teams would return to settle the score Sunday at 4 p.m. at Vets Park.
The 4-1 win for Hollister American was the narrowest victory the team has recorded this postseason.
They’ve had wins over Hartnell (12-0) and Ferrasci (11-0) before beating Soledad Thursday.
If Hollister National wins Friday over Soledad, it will be a rematch against American.
The two teams met up last Saturday, and American defeated National, 9-5.
In the 10- and 11-year-old division, Hollister National lost to Soledad 5-3 Thursday in the semifinals. Soledad moves on to the championship, while Hollister National will now play Hollister American to see who’ll advance to the title round. Hollister American defeated Ferrasci 9-3 Thursday in the consolation bracket.
American and National will play each other Friday at Salinas Continental at 5:30 p.m. The championship will take place Sunday at Salinas Continental at 11 a.m.
In the 9- and 10-year-old division, Hollister American B defeated Hartnell 11-3 to advance to the consolation semifinals, where they’ll play Hollister American A Friday on Field 3 at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister at 7 p.m.
The winner of that contest will advance to Saturday’s final against Hollister National A on Field 5 at Vets Park at 10 a.m.
Basketball
Salinas
Hollister lost to Gilroy 48-41 Thursday night in the Hartnell summer league, which includes Palma, Salinas, Alisal, North Salinas, North Monterey County and Pacific Grove, among others.
The Mustangs were up 10-9 early on with 11:38 left in the first half when Hollister went on a run to take a 25-18 lead at the break.
In the second, the Mustangs focused on rebounding, defense and sprinting out on the break to pass the ‘Balers 33-30 with 9:51 remaining in regulation.
Hollister’s Dominic Zanella had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Eric Eleyada contributed 14 points.
