San Benito’s latest win, coupled with a North Salinas loss to
Gilroy on Friday, has Hollister one game out of first in TCAL
Salinas – Things are really coming together for the San Benito High boys basketball team.
And its all happening at just the right time.
The Balers improved to 5-3 in Tri-County Athletic League play with a 63-57 win over Salinas on the road on Friday. What’s more, they’re now only one game out of first by virtue of a North Salinas loss to Gilroy, who won by a final score of 65-55 on Friday .
“Coming off of a great win on Wednesday (a 62-59 Baler victory over North Salinas) I think we’re very confident as a team,” said San Benito head coach David Kaplansky. “I also think we’re getting great contributions from guys off the bench. It was a great team win.”
When the Balers and the Cowboys met at the beginning of the league schedule, San Benito got the 67-47 victory at home. But the Cowboys came with a much better game this time around on their own court.
Salinas was looking to hold on to the number-two spot in league with a win against Hollister. The two teams both had 4-3 league records going into Friday night’s contest and players from both squads looked determined to get the important, late-season win.
The Cowboys took the early 5-2 lead before Hollister’s Eric Davis hit a three-pointer to tie things up. After a stop on defense, the Balers got the go-ahead bucket from Kevin Jones underneath off a good look from Darryl Baladad.
Salinas’ Kelly McCarty, who finished the contest with a game-high 33 points, tied it back up with a pair of free throws after Jones’ score but San Benito forward/canter Kyle Sharp answered with a put back after pulling down an offensive board at the other end.
Sharp closed out the opening quarter with four unanswered points to put the Balers up 17-14.
Vince Bautista found Sharp in the lane with a nice pass that resulted in an easy bucket to start the second frame before Steve Huerta, who has been shooting the ball well for San Benito in recent games, nailed a three-pointer to put the Balers up 22-15.
Hollister stayed well in front for the rest of the second quarter and for most of third. But the Cowboys, made a run late behind McCarty’s shooting touch and fearless drives to the basket.
McCarty scored 10 in the third to cut San Benito’s lead to 46-41 going into the fourth quarter but couldn’t will his team to victory as Hollister was able to slow the tempo of the game with good ball movement and shot selection. Hollister’s defense also did a good job of making things tough for Salinas’ shooters in the fourth quarter.
“The fact that we’re getting a lot of guys to contribute is really going to help us in the playoffs,” Kaplansky said. “We’re shooting the ball well too. And when we’re shooting the ball well from the parameter, we’re a tough team to beat.
Sharp’s 26 points led the way for Hollister while fellow post player Kevin Jones continues to be a factor for the Balers as he scored 10 points for the second-straight game.
Note: The Baler junior varsity team beat the Cowboys 42-48 on friday. High scorers for Hollister included Kevin Medieros with 15 and Todd Janisch with 13.
