OK
– might as well get it over with. (Drum roll).
The Butler did it.
OK – might as well get it over with. (Drum roll).
The Butler did it.
Hollister High rode the long arms and smooth touch of junior center Anthony Butler to a rousing 77-52 win over Greenfield Wednesday at Mattson Gym.
Butler, making his varsity debut, had 28 points, as well as double digits in rebounds while playing a little more than half the game.
“We had no one who could guard him,” said Bruins coach Jesus Ramirez. “We couldn’t match up on the inside with him.”
“He (Butler) has a nice touch,” said Baler head coach David Kaplansky. “And he’s only scratching the surface.”
In front of a fair-sized crowd in the season opener for both teams, the Balers officially broke the game open with a 19-9 third-quarter burst. The depleted Bruins tired in general in the second half as the Balers outscored them 40-20 after the intermission.
“Our transition offense was good,” said Kaplansky, in an understatement. “We posted up well and hit our shots. Greenfield played harder than us in the first half. There’s no doubt about that.”
The Bruins put up a decent fight in the first 16 minutes with three treys from Michael Pacheco (15 pts.) and two more three-point goals from Nick Hernandez (12 pts.). Bruins big man Juan Espinosa had eight of his 10 points in the first half as the Balers led by just five points at the break. Many of Greenfield’s hoops came from releasing a player early.
“We didn’t do a good job of getting back on defense,” said Kaplansky. “I wasn’t happy about that.”
Butler, who had 17 points in the first two periods, had 10 of the Balers’ 19 third-period points as he quickly posted up and simply couldn’t be stopped. Kyle Sharp, who wowed the crowd with a quick first step, had five of his 19 points in the third quarter, including a 20-footer at the start of the period. Sophomore guard Eric Davis scored the remaining four points in the period for the Balers.
Forward Danny Brooks had just four points, but had nine rebounds and passed the ball well to Baler cutters. The Baler starting backcourt of Jeff Fajardo and Broc Sondgroth combined for 12 points. Fajardo showed a much better shooting stroke than he did a year ago, which will keep Baler opponents from sagging on the Baler big men.
Kaplansky got all suited players in, including Matt Leal. Leal, who recently recovered from a dislocated shoulder, drew a big roar from the crowd, as well as, the Baler bench when he scored a layin late in the game.
“I had some friends in the stands and they were happy I scored,” said Leal.
It was all fun and games for the Balers vs. the Bruins. However, the competition heats up next Wednesday through Friday when Kaplansky’s boys participate in the Overfelt Tournament in San Jose.
The Butler promises to bring his duster.
Junior varsity: Balers 64, Greenfield 29.
Greenfield1319911 – 52
Hollister18191921 – 77
G – Pacheco 5 1-4 15, Hernandez 3 4-4 12, Juosto 1 1-3 3, Espinosa 4 2-2 10, Pantoja 1 2-5 4, Pagano 1 1-2 3, Trujillo 2 0-0 5. Totals: 17 11-20 52.
H – Sondgroth 2 0-0 4, Fajardo 3 2-2 8, Sharp 9 1-4 19, Brooks 2 0-0 4, Butler 12 4-10 28, Davis 2 0-0 4, Moisa 1 0-0 2, Rubio 1 0-0 2, Zanella 0 2-2 2, Fernandez 1 0-0 2, Leal 1 0-2 2. Totals: 34 9-20 77.
3-point goals: Pacheco 4, Hernandez 2, Trujillo (G)
