History is all in the way one perceives it. Sometimes mountains
are moved a great distance and other times, the little hill is
budged a few inches. Either way, progress is made.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – History is all in the way one perceives it. Sometimes mountains are moved a great distance and other times, the little hill is budged a few inches. Either way, progress is made.
Progress was made Thursday night at Anzar High when the Hawk girls basketball team defeated Greenfield 40-34. It was the first time in the four-year history of the program that a Hawk team has one more than one league game in a single season. And it was only the third league victory in four years for Anzar.
“I’m glad for the girls,” said Hawks first-year coach Paul Lerma. “Some of the girls on this team had never won a league game before this season.”
“One of our goals was to win at least two league games,” said Hawks senior guard Heidi Rivera. “I can’t believe it.”
The Bruins (10-9, 6-6), who were missing a starter, had control of this game entering the fourth period and holding a 30-24 advantage. Lerma set up a play which called for a double pick on the low block and a Suzie Garcia jump shot. Garcia knocked down the 15-foot jumper for 30-26. Sopomore Amanda Link hit a follow shot as the tempo picked up.
Garcia made a steal and led Rivera for a layin. Link’s two free throws with 1:47 left to play broke a 34-34 tie. The Bruins, who often settled for perimeter shots, couldn’t buy one. Even when they came up with offensive rebounds, which was often, the ball wouldn’t drop in the cylinder. Rivera, who had all eight of her points in the fourth period, made two free throws with 25 seconds left to seal the monumental win.
“Anzar deserved it,” said Bruins head coach John Radcliff. “We missed 10 shots in a row down the stretch. You’re not going to win a game 2-0 if you do that.”
The Hawks (5-15, 2-10) won despite 29 turnovers, though they forced 22. This game appeard to be won and lost on the free throw line. The Bruins were subpar with 8-for-25 free throw shooting. The Hawks, on the other hand, made 9-of-13.
The Hawks were keyed by a talented project named Link, who stands 5-11 and had the game’s at arm’s length, literally. Link had double digit in rebounds, five blocks and had a game-high 15 points. She may be a real factor in the league next season after a basketball camp in Tennessee this summer.
Garcia had 11 points to aid the Hawks cause and contributed some hustle defense.
“Suzie did a good job of handling the ball,” said Lerma.
The Hawks are in Pebble Beach to face Robert Louis Stevenson School Saturday at 1 p.m.
Hawk shots: Anzar lost to Soledad 83-54 on Tuesday. Garcia had 21 points while Link had 12. Cory Strasser, Rivera and Megan Lerma each had six points. – In boys hoop, the Hawks were downed in Greenfield Wednesday 73-62. Jordan Monroe had 23 points, while Cheyenne Monde had 17 points. Anzar lost a track meet to Soledad at home on Tuesday, 104-85. Monroe, just a sophomore, had a career-high 41 points. Chas Armour had 21 with Greg D’Amore adding 11.
“It was like an NBA all-star game,” said Hawks coach Claire Dietz. “There wasn’t much defense played.”
The Hawk boys (5-16, 2-9 MTAL) host Robert Louis Stevenson Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Greenfield 7 6 17 4 – 34
Anzar 11 5 8 16 – 40
G – Mota 4 4-8 12, Lopez 3 1-5 7, Zavala 3 2-7 10, Barajas 2 1-1 5, Vessels 0 0-4 0. Totals 12 8-25 34.
A – LInk 6 3-5 15, Garcia 3 4-6 11, Lerma 1 0-0 2, Strasser 2 0-0 4, Rivera 3 2-2 8. Totals 15 9-13 40.
3-point goals: Zavala 2 (G); Garcia (A).
