Basketball: Balers open season with 70-37 rout over Gonzales

Thanks to a strong first quarter, the San Benito boys basketball team opened the new season with a 70-37 blowout victory over Gonzales on Tuesday.
In the opening quarter, San Benito raced out to a 23-7 lead thanks to a strong full-court pressure defense, head coach David Kaplansky said. The offense also used its opportunities to pile on the first-quarter points.
San Benito’s play tailed off as the game went on, but the Balers were able to build on their lead every quarter.
“Play slowed down a little bit (after the first quarter) and it led to a lot of open looks that we need to work on,” Kaplansky said.
Senior Jordan Belton led the way for San Benito with 21 points from the floor. Isaiah Acfalle added 13 points and sophomore Hyram Miskin added 11 points.
“The kids showed a lot of class,” Kaplansky said. “There was a lot of ball movement and good work.”
The win gives San Benito some early-season momentum leading into the weekend’s Cupertino Shootout.
“It was good to get everyone involved and get the kids prepared for the weekend,” Kaplansky said. “We want to get the kids on the winning side.”
Last year, the Balers struggled at the Cupertino tournament going 0-3. Kaplansky hopes to do better this year.
The Balers open the Cupertino Shootout against host Cupertino at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.