San Benito wraps up preseason with strong win over North
County
Hollister – San Benito tuned up for the start of Tri-County Athletic League girls basketball play by earning a 44-34 win over North Monterey County at home Tuesday.
“That’s big because we haven’t had many wins in preseason,” said junior guard Elena Fata. “It’ll give us confidence.”
San Benito coach Al Rowe made a point before this game of encouraging his guards to shoot more, issuing a mandate that each guard must take at least eight shots.
“It hadn’t been a matter of poor shooting,” Rowe said of the team’s previous offensive struggles. “They just weren’t shooting enough.”
The mandate helped as nine players found their way onto the score sheet, with Fata leading the way with 14 points and Megan Halstead adding 10 points and eight rebounds.
Rowe credited the improved play as a result of the ‘Balers playing in the competitive West Coast Jamboree. While San Benito went 1-2 in the tournament, beating Tennyson 45-44 and losing to College Park and Casa Grande, the experience helped the team bond more.
“That was a different level of play,” Rowe said. “The girls got a chance to jell.”
The added teamwork should benefit the ‘Balers in TCAL play, which begins at 7pm Thursday at Salinas.
In Tuesday’s preseason finale, San Benito used a hot second quarter to find its groove. A 9-1 run midway through the first quarter had helped North Monterey County take a 14-12 first-quarter lead, but the ‘Balers mounted their best charge midway through the second.
Facing a 21-14 deficit, San Benito outscored the Condors 15-3, including an 8-0 run over the quarter’s final 3:43, to take a 29-24 halftime lead.
The third quarter nearly became disastrous for the ‘Balers though. With Rowe sitting his starters, San Benito went scoreless for the first 5:46 of the period.
When Vanessa Farias finally broke the drought with a pair of free throws, the ‘Balers retook the lead at 31-29 and didn’t trail the rest of the way.
Farias had six points on the night and Rowe was happy to see his leading scorer distribute the ball more.
“I told her I want to see more assists than points tonight,” Rowe said. “Teams are going to be double-teaming her so we need her to pass.”
North Monterey County 14 11 4 5 – 34
San Benito 12 17 6 9 – 44
NMC – Valencia 3 0-2 8, Moore 1 0-3 2, Schwartz 1 0-0 2, Bri. Warnars 0 0-1 0, Jara 4 1-2 12, Salazar 2 6-11 10. Totals 11 7-19 34.
SB – O’Brien 0 1-2 1, Fata 5 3-7 14, Farias 2 2-2 6, Casalegno 1 1-4 3, Russel 1 0-0 2, Soza 1 0-0 2, Halstead 5 0-1 10, Meza 1 0-0 2, Bugarin 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 7-16 44.
Three-point goals – Jara 3, Valencia 2, Fata. Fouled out – Bri. Warnars, Halstead.
