Anzar stays close, but Pacific Grove outlasts Hawks 57-42,
extends winning streak to 31 league games
San Juan Bautista
The Anzar Hawks nearly provided the first blemish to Pacific Grove’s perfect season Tuesday night in San Juan Bautista, but the visiting Breakers pulled away in the fourth quarter en route to a 57-42 victory.
“We hung in there for three-and-a-half quarters,” coach Ed Cecena said.
With the win, the Breakers clinched the Mission Trail Athletic League outright for the second straight year.
With their second straight undefeated season nearly complete as well, Pacific Grove has not lost a league game since the 2005-06 season, a streak that extended to 31 games Tuesday.
The Hawks, led by Erik Olson’s 10 points and 12 boards, trailed by just five points entering the fourth quarter. But Pacific Grove, which improved 13-0 in the MTAL, outscored Anzar 17-9 in the final period.
“They pulled away in the last four minutes of the game,” Cecena said. “Overall, I can’t complain. The kids hung in there … We were within striking distance.”
Anzar’s Steven Mockabee added six points, four assists and three steals, while Ryan Waller provided eight points.
The Hawks fall to 4-9 in the MTAL with one game remaining in the season.
“Our last four to five games, we’ve really picked up the defense, which is good to see,” Cecena said. “Pacific Grove is leading the league, but we were in there.”
Anzar will finish their season on Thursday when they travel to play Gonzales at 7:30 p.m.
ANZ (42) – Mockabee 1 0 4 6, Waller 2 1 1 8, Rania 1 1 0 5, Olson 5 0 0 10, Staley 3 0 0 6, Tovar 1 0 0 2, Merz 2 0 1 5.
