Making its first road trip of the Tri-County Athletic League
season, the San Benito boys basketball team came up on the short
end Friday in a 59-45 loss at Palma.
Making its first road trip of the Tri-County Athletic League season, the San Benito boys basketball team came up on the short end Friday in a 59-45 loss at Palma.
“They’re very good, they’ve got the pieces in place for a solid team,” Haybalers coach John Becerra said.
Behind 25 points from 6-foot-5 Loyola Marymount-bound forward Orlando Johnson, the Chieftains started quick and had a double-digit lead by halftime.
“They were in control most of the time,” Becerra said. “We made minor runs, but we’ve never really close.”
Palma (13-2, 2-0 TCAL) increased the lead to 51-27 by the end of the third quarter before the ‘Balers outscored the Chieftains 18-8 in the fourth to lessen the final margin.
Despite the late run coming against Palma’s backups, Becerra said it gave the team some confidence and something to build on.
“We’re right there with these teams if we come down and relax,” Becerra said. “We do have a shot if we play smart basketball.”
He was also pleased with the effort the team gave and that it never let down.
“I think our hustle and intensity was very good,” Becerra said.
The ‘Balers were paced by Todd Janisch’s 20 points. Sterling Wilson chipped in with seven and Carlos Ramos had six.
San Benito will next take on defending league champion Gilroy, which fell to Palma 61-43 in its league opener. The ‘Balers and Mustangs tip off at 7pm Wednesday.
San Benito 6 11 10 18 – 45
Palma 13 15 23 8 – 59
SB – Ramos 2-2-6, De Mateo 0-2-2, Bueno 1-0-3, Burley 1-0-2, Janisch 9-1-20, Wilson 1-5-7, Silva 1-2-5. Totals 15-13-45
Pal – Ramirez 1-0-2, Harrigan 2-0-4, Bonano 1-1-3, Broom 2-0-5, Benavente 1-3-5, Fox 1-4-6, Johnson 9-4-25, Blake 1-1-3, Reader 3-0-6. Totals 21-13-59.
