The San Benito girls basketball team may have played its best
game of the year Monday night in a 56-40 win over Monterey.
Coach Tom Dean knew right from the start that the game had a
chance to be something special.
”
During the pre-game meeting, it was just like there was a lot of
electricity between me and the team,
”
said Dean, a first-year varsity coach.
”
You could feel the intensity and fire. It was thick in the
air.
”
The San Benito girls basketball team may have played its best game of the year Monday night in a 56-40 win over Monterey.
Coach Tom Dean knew right from the start that the game had a chance to be something special.
“During the pre-game meeting, it was just like there was a lot of electricity between me and the team,” said Dean, a first-year varsity coach. “You could feel the intensity and fire. It was thick in the air.”
Guard Jamie Flores had one of her top games games of the year with eight points and seven rebounds.
“She really controlled the ball,” Dean said. “Her intensity was what we’ve been looking for all year. We pressed up on defense, and she and Trisha Lee were right there.”
Lee led the Balers with 20 points and had five assists. But right behind her was Jamie Hall with 15 points. Hall also had 11 rebounds and a couple blocked shots.
Coming into the game, the Balers were the second lowest defensive team in the area and were ranked 44th in state, allowing just 38.5 points per game. But Monterey was coming into the game as the second highest scoring team in the area with 56.6 points per game. Both teams were behind Soquel in their respective categories.
“We knew the team was a very physical team,” Dean said. “The guards would bite on any fake so they fouled a lot. We knew we had not a big advantage inside but a pretty good advantage that we were able to use to our favor.”
San Benito (13-4) was 14 for 23 from the free-throw line. Mallorie Wilson had four points and 10 rebounds.
The Balers started out on an 8-2 run and built up a 25-12 lead at the half. Monterey rallied 19-18 in the fourth quarter, but the effort fell short.
“We never let up on the pressure,” Dean said. “They had a lot of problems with our defense. Everything you could want the team to do, they did tonight. It wasn’t just three or four players. Everyone I put in there did a great job. It was awesome to watch.”
The Balers will open up league play Friday at Live Oak.
“I could really see the team coining together both on the court and off the court the past couple weeks,” Dean said. “It has just been getting better and better each game. Tonight was the best so far. Live Oak will be ready to play us. Everything changes when you start league play. You cannot let down for one minute. If you do they will get you.”
Note: The JV and frosh teams also defeated Monterey. The frosh team had to work a little harder and only won by about five points.
