Out of the Shadows … Into the Limelight: Young ‘Balers Looking
for Someone to Step Forward
Blink and you run the risk of missing some of the excitement on the hardwood this season.
The San Benito girls basketball team is young, which means it faces a steep learning curve, but its guard-heavy roster promises a blur of action as the Haybalers press the tempo on both ends of the floor.
With just two returning players from last year’s CCS semifinalist squad, seniors Ari Romero and Ashley Patton, San Benito draws from an inexperienced, but nonetheless skilled pool of players that includes three freshmen and three sophomores.
“We’re a real young team,” said ‘Balers head coach Al Rowe, who has taken the helm of the program after assisting Tom Dean last season. “Fortunately, we have a lot of talent that’s coming in.”
Some of the youngsters have already shown that San Benito’s potential could have a quick return. Sophomore Bri Romero, a volleyball stalwart, picked up All-Tournament honors at the Oak Grove Holiday Classic earlier this month.
“A very good athlete,” said Rowe of the sophomore. “She just likes to run and stretch the court.”
And freshman Vanessa Farias showed her mettle at crunch time, hitting a last-second three-pointer that sent the ‘Balers into overtime against Evergreen on Dec. 12. Trailing by 12 points with three minutes left in regulation, San Benito went on to win 55-54.
“She’s really exciting,” said Rowe of Farias. “She’s just a firecracker, full of life out there.”
Lacking the true post presence that facilitates an inside game, Rowe has installed an offense that consists of “constant movement.”
The ‘Balers will also take advantage of their team speed, running at every opportunity.
“Our girls are fast,” said Rowe. “That can win you games. We’ll a fast break out of a man defense, a 2-3, a 3-2; off of a made shot, a missed shot … everyone’s filling the lane.”
Don’t expect the fast and furious action to be limited to the offensive side of the ball.
By often pressuring opposing teams the length of the court, San Benito hopes to create turnovers that sends its speedy guards off to the races. But even when the ‘Balers defend half-court sets, Rowe already sees a stopper emerging–freshman Symone Baker.
“[Symone] is probably going to be one of the No. 1 defenders in the league,” said Rowe, who has enjoyed seeing the look of doom on opposing players’ faces as he inserts Baker into the game. “She’s just all over that ball. She’ll just shut a person down.”
Not that San Benito’s talent is limited to its underclassmen. Rowe has named his two returnees co-captains in hopes that their experience and court savvy will spur the growth of the team.
Patton, a four-year starter, is one of the keys to the success of the motion offense. “She’s a very good shooter,” said Rowe.
And Ari Romero, “a real smart player,” should help the young ‘Balers at both ends of the floor.
“Ari, as far as getting position on the court … she really has a nose for the ball,” said Rowe.
Add all of this up and you have a team that should be most interesting to watch.
The ‘Balers, winners of four of their first seven contests, are fresh off a 21-point drubbing of Oak Grove at its own tournament, a showing in which San Benito scored a season-high 70 points.
The ‘Balers’ encouraging start has Rowe upbeat and hopeful of big things for his team.
“At first, losing nine seniors, everyone thinks, ‘Rebuilding year,’ but our goals are high,” said Rowe. “To get into CCS, that’s our first goal. To go to NorCals. I want high goals to give our girls the opportunity to strive for them.”
With league play set to open in the New Year–the ‘Balers host Gilroy in the opener on Jan. 6–Rowe is anxious to see how his team fares.
After noting Gilroy as a league favorite, if only because of its strong returning group of players, Rowe sees the Tri-County Athletic League as wide open. While noting the ‘Balers’ shortcomings of youth and the lack of interior scoring, Rowe fashions his team as a contender.
“Guard play is what wins in this league,” said Rowe. “My girls don’t give up. They play hard right ’til the end. The biggest thing is pressuring all over the full court.
“Every game is a tremendous advancement. It’s going to be fast. It’s going to be exciting.”
