The Monterey Toreadors showed up to Mattson Gym expecting a
basketball game. Instead, they got a track meet.
The Monterey Toreadors showed up to Mattson Gym expecting a basketball game. Instead, they got a track meet.
San Benito nearly ran visiting Monterey out of the gym in a 66-30 thumping Thursday, as all 13 Haybalers scored in what was San Benito’s 10th win of the season.
Brian Haggett had a double-double performance with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while point guard Marty Bueno supplied 14 points and dished out six assists to go along with five steals.
“That was pretty nice, with the way we hustled and the way we came out aggressive,” coach John Becerra said.
The ‘Balers forced 22 turnovers, but more importantly held Monterey to just 20 percent (9 of 45) shooting on the night, a factor that lead to countless fastbreak opportunities for San Benito.
Becerra said his team had difficulty rebounding in the first quarter, but once they began to box out, the ‘Balers were off to the races.
Monterey’s missed shots opened up San Benito’s transition game, and the Toreadors were usually seen sprinting down court to catch a streaking ‘Baler, but usually to no avail.
“We want to push the ball and not give them anytime to breath,” said Kevin Burley, who had four points and eight rebounds on the night. “The more fast paced, the better.”
While the ‘Balers out-hustled the Toreadors down the floor, even resulting in a Jamil Taylor one-handed slam in the fourth quarter, San Benito’s man defense held Monterey to just two field goals each in the first and third quarters. In the fourth, Monterey had just one field goal.
San Benito shot 46 percent (29 of 63) from the field, and blew the game open in the third quarter.
Carrying a 30-17 halftime lead, the ‘Balers outscored the Toreadors 20-5 in the third stanza, and broke down a full-court press from Monterey with relative ease.
The win pushes San Benito to 10-5 on the season, already two wins better than last year’s record, as the ‘Balers close out their preseason schedule.
Starting next week, San Benito will open the Tri-County Athletic League with three games in five days.
On Tuesday, the ‘Balers will travel to Salinas to play the Cowboys for the league opener, and they’ll return home on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon to host to Palma and Gilroy, respectively.
“That’s a tough three-game lineup,” Burley said. “We’re passing the ball well so I think we’re all right. It’s a good sign going into league to have a win like this.”
Becerra noted the team’s improvement in passing over the course of the preseason, and feels that is the key to the squad’s continual improvement.
“We’ve improved on moving the ball a lot,” Becerra said. “When we move the ball, we’re very good. When we just start dribbling, it slows us up.”
The ‘Balers will look to transition their preseason success into a league-opening win Tuesday at Salinas. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
Team 1 2 3 4 F
SB 12 18 20 16 66
MNT 7 10 5 8 30
SB (66) – Bryant 0-1 1-2 1, Bueno 5-10 4-6 14, Burley 2-5 0-0 4, Callagher 2-2 0-0 4, Canchola 1-5 0-0 2, DeMateo 1-1 0-0 2, Haggett 7-14 0-0 14, Medina 0-3 2-2 2, Pina 1-3 0-0 2, Ruiz 3-5 0-1 6, Taylor 3-5 0-0 6, Von Urff 2-5 0-0 5, Zanella 2-4 0-0 4.
Three-point goals: Von Urff 1.
