The San Benito Haybalers earned their ninth win of the season
after they split their two remaining games at the Condor Christmas
Classic in Castroville last weekend, and finished in third place
among eight teams at the holiday tournament.
The San Benito Haybalers earned their ninth win of the season after they split their two remaining games at the Condor Christmas Classic in Castroville last weekend, and finished in third place among eight teams at the holiday tournament.
The ‘Balers narrowly lost to North Monterey County 61-57 last Friday in the semifinals, and were placed into Saturday’s third- and fourth-place consolation game against Everett Alvarez, whom they easily defeated 64-39.
The win on Saturday, though, gave San Benito their ninth win of the season and a 9-5 record with one game remaining in the preseason schedule. Last season, the ‘Balers compiled eight wins for the entire year.
Despite eclipsing last season’s win total, however, San Benito was frustrated for not qualifying for the championship final. In that contest, Salinas defeated North County 64-61 to take first place at the tournament.
“We felt like we should have been in the championship,” said Brian Haggett, as he looked toward Salinas and North County just a few feet away. “We can play with both these teams right here.”
On Friday, a slow start for the ‘Balers supplied just enough ammo for North County, as the tournament host Condors edged the Haybalers in the semifinal round.
Despite shooting 6 of 12 (50 percent) from the field in the first quarter, the Haybalers committed six turnovers and struggled to find their offense through North County’s aggressive defense from the start.
San Benito was forced to play catch-up, and although they certainly made it interesting in the second half, the slow start in which San Benito trailed 20-13 after one quarter may have been the difference.
“It was a disappointment with the way we played,” coach John Becerra said. “It was one of our worst games.”
San Benito’s slow start, which has been evident in many of their games this season, is a result of the offense trying to do too much, Becerra said.
“We want to come down and score immediately and do it quickly,” Becerra added. “We’re rushing the start.”
Marty Bueno had a team-high 21 points and nine steals to lead San Benito, who shot 22 of 53 (42 percent) for the game. Haggett had 11 points and five rebounds while both Jason Canchola and Kevin Burley supplied eight points apiece. Burley also pulled down five boards.
The ‘Balers trailed the Condors by as many as 12 points early in the second quarter, but finished the half on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to four points at halftime.
San Benito then cut the deficit to just two points after three quarters, and although North County opened a 56-47 lead with just 2:14 remaining in regulation, San Benito’s press kept the game interesting.
After a pair of North County turnovers, Bueno scored seven straight to help San Benito pull within two points. But the Condors, who shot 11 of 22 from the line, managed to stay ahead after shooting 5 of 7 from the charity stripe down the stretch.
“When we play good teams, we can’t get over that hump,” Becerra said. “Weaker teams we can beat. Those good teams, we haven’t been able to do it. We’ve made it exciting, but we haven’t been able to beat them.”
The following day on Saturday, a strong second quarter pushed San Benito ahead for good as the ‘Balers routed Alvarez 64-39.
After the two teams played to a 10-10 tie through one quarter, where San Benito committed five turnovers, the ‘Balers opened up a 16-4 second stanza, and held Alvarez to only one field goal in the quarter.
“We turned the ball over a little too much in the beginning,” Haggett said. “But we made some easy lay-ups and we put them away pretty easily.”
Pretty easily, indeed. San Benito finished the game 29 of 59 (49 percent) from the field and had 11 different scorers. Burley led all ‘Balers with 12 points and Haggett added 10 for San Benito, who put the peddle to the floor in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Eagles 20-9.
“From the second quarter on, I thought we played well,” said Becerra, commenting on the squad’s slow start in the first quarter. “Before that, we were just chucking the ball and not moving the ball.
“The remedy is to go out on the court and execute our offense and impose our will. We have the tools and we have the skills.”
San Benito will host Monterey tonight at 7 p.m., at Mattson Gym before the Tri-County Athletic League season opens next Tuesday at Salinas.
Note: San Benito committed one less turnover (23-22) than North County … The ‘Balers committed eight fouls in the first half to North County’s two … The Condors shot 23 of 54 from the field … San Benito shot 10 of 13 from the line against North County, 6 of 10 against Alvarez … The Eagles shot 12 of 47 from the field, 12 of 22 from the line.
Team 1 2 3 4 F
SB 10 16 18 20 64
ALV 10 4 16 9 39
SB (64) – Bryant 1-3 0-0 2, Bueno 2-4 0-0 4, Burley 5-9 2-2 12, Callagher 1-1 1-1 3, Canchola 3-6 0-0 6, DeMateo 2-6 0-1 4, Haggett 5-9 0-0 10, Medina 3-7 0-0 6, Taylor 2-5 1-2 5, Von Urff 2-3 1-2 5, Zanella 3-5 1-2 7.
Three-point goals: none.
Team 1 2 3 4 F
SB 13 17 8 19 57
NMC 20 14 6 21 61
SB (57) – Bueno 7-17 5-6 21, Burley 4-11 0-0 8, Canchola 4-6 0-0 8, Haggett 4-10 2-3 11, Taylor 0-2 1-2 1, Von Urff 1-3 0-0 2, Zanella 2-4 2-2 6.
Three-point goals – Bueno 2, Haggett 1.
