SALINAS
–– The Haybalers defeated Palma on Friday night to claim their
first league championship in seven years.
Although Palma (7-17, 1-9 TCAL) finished in last place, both
games against San Benito came down to the wire. Last game, San
Benito fell behind in the first quarter before limiting the
Chieftains to just two points in the second quarter.
SALINAS –– The Haybalers defeated Palma on Friday night to claim their first league championship in seven years.
Although Palma (7-17, 1-9 TCAL) finished in last place, both games against San Benito came down to the wire. Last game, San Benito fell behind in the first quarter before limiting the Chieftains to just two points in the second quarter.
“They (Palma) played with a lot in intensity and emotion,” said Baler coach David Kaplansky. “We came out kind of flat, but we stepped up and made some key buckets in the fourth quarter. That is what this team has done all year. We have been able to finish the games. We have been able to use our size to get the second and third shots.”
San Benito, the No. 5 seed, will face No. 4 Menlo-Atherton on Saturday in the Central Coast Section Division 1 quarterfinals.
“We worked really hard for the title, and we didn’t want to share it (with Live Oak),” said Haybaler senior Anthony Butler, who had 21 points. “We were getting the points. We just need to execute all the way through.”
The Balers’ 65-56 win Friday was close throughout even with a little momentum boost in the fourth quarter.
“Any team can win on any given night,” Kaplansky said. “They came out playing hard, and that made us play that much harder. They are a hard-nosed team similar to Gilroy last year. They fight every game.”
San Benito (20-6, 9-1 TCAL) took a narrow 38-35 lead into the final quarter and quickly increased the advantage to 12 points in the first four minutes with a 9-0 run.
The pace became hurried for both teams, and several quick baskets were exchanged.
With about three minutes left, Kyle Sharp hit a three-point shot, but Palma’s Dominique Dunham countered with his own three to get within 52-45. Dunham, who had to be taken out briefly with a cut above his eye, scored another three pointer with 51 seconds left to force the Balers to call a timeout.
Sharp, who led all scorers with 27 points, was immediately fouled after the timeout, and Palma received a technical foul for arguing the call.
Sharp made one of his free throws, and Eric Davis made one of the technical foul free throws.
But Davis was called for a technical of his own after he tossed a ball toward a fallen player who had fouled him. Davis shot his free throws, making one. And Dunham shot the technical, also making one.
After all that, San Benito picked up two points and had a 61-56 advantage with 47 seconds to go. Sharp had a rebound and putback basket to help the Balers seal the win.
“We did a good job down the stretch,” Kaplansky said. “But they could have handled the ball better. Palma hit a couple big shots, but we remained composed.”
Palma matched San Benito almost point for point in the first three quarters. The Balers opened the game with a 7-1 advantage, but that didn’t stop the Chieftains from closing within 13-11 at the end of the first.
“We just couldn’t make shots when we needed to,” said Chieftain coach Josh Neilson. “The technical situation didn’t help us. We’ve had those types of breaks all year. We were playing well at that point. But I can’t dwell on one point considering the effort they gave against the TCAL champions.”
Kaplansky called a couple plays early in the game to try give Sharp a dunk, hoping to give his team a boost.
In the final seconds of the quarter, Palma, who was trying to hold for the last shot, threw the ball away on an inbound play. Davis had a chance for a three pointer as he tried to draw the foul at the buzzer.
Darryl Baladad hit a pull-up jumper from the top of the key as time expired to give the Balers a 26-24 lead at halftime.
“I think they will compete throughout the playoffs,” Neilson said. “I hope they do well and represent the league.”
San Benito 13 13 12 27––65
Palma 11 13 11 21––56
San Benito: Moisa 1 0-0 3, Davis 1 4-6 6, Baladad 3 0-0 6, Sharp 10 5-8 27, Zanella 0 1-2 1, Butler 7 7-9 21.
Palma: Toste 3 2-3 10, Dunham 8 5-9 23, Jackson 2 0-0 5, Marcus,1 0-0 2, Walker 2 0-0 4, Marquez 3 6-6 12.
3-point goals: SB-Sharp (2), Moisa. P-Dunham (2), Toste (2), Jackson.
