After a record-high and record-long preseason, the Hollister
High girls basketball team swings into Tri-County Athletic League
action Thursday when it hosts Live Oak at 7 p.m. at Mattson
Gym.
After a record-high and record-long preseason, the Hollister High girls basketball team swings into Tri-County Athletic League action Thursday when it hosts Live Oak at 7 p.m. at Mattson Gym.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Balers coach Richard Silva. “We have to rise to the next level. We have to take care of business. We can’t let them hang around. Our girls are gelling right now. We’re on a roll.”
The Balers, at 13-3, enjoyed the most preason victories by any Hollister team before them. It was also a longer preseason than in the past, due to the reduction in teams in the T-CAL, which fields just six.
The Acorns (5-6) aren’t expected to present much of a problem to the Balers, but Baler guard Gina Caianiello isn’t chalking up a win just yet.
“We can’t take anyone lightly,” said Caianiello. “We have to come out and play hard. We have to have the right mindset out there. Just because we’re 13-3 doesn’t mean we can be big-headed.”
Notre Dame, ranked third in the Central Coast Section, is the consensus favorite with North Salinas and Salinas, along with Hollister, battling it out for second.
“We have to have to believe we can beat anyone,” said Silva. “I’d be ecstatic with an 8-2 record. I’d be happy with a minimum 7-3.”
“Who knows?” said Caianiello. “If we play our best we can beat North Salinas and Salinas. Maybe we can beat Notre Dame. We have a chance.”
The Balers have a long layoff after Thursday, hosting Gilroy on Jan. 25 at a time to be determined.
