The Haybaler boys basketball team moved into second place alone
in the tight Tri-County Athletic League with a 49-45 win at Salinas
on Thursday night.
In front of a packed Salinas Homecoming crowd, the Balers (14-6,
3-1 TCAL) took it down to the line before pulling out the
victory.
The Haybaler boys basketball team moved into second place alone in the tight Tri-County Athletic League with a 49-45 win at Salinas on Thursday night.
In front of a packed Salinas Homecoming crowd, the Balers (14-6, 3-1 TCAL) took it down to the line before pulling out the victory.
“It was a big win for our program,” said Baler coach David Kaplansky. “It has been a while since Hollister has gone in and beat a Salinas team on the road. It gives us a lot of confidence going into the second half.”
San Benito was up by two points at halftime, 25-23. With 16 seconds left, Salinas had the ball down by three points.
Kelly McCarty, who led the Cowboys with 16 points, had a chance for a three pointer, but it didn’t fall. He received three more chances after the Cowboys got offensive rebounds, but he couldn’t get any of them to fall as well.
Kyle Sharp finally was able to grab the rebound with four seconds to go and was immediately fouled. He made one of his two free throws for the win.
Sharp was on fire for the Balers scoring 26 points, including three three pointers. The last time he had that many points from behind the arch was when he had three in his freshman year. Anthony Butler was also strong down low with 12 points.
Eric Davis and Mike Moisa were able to contain McCarty in the second half after he was breaking the Balers down in the first with his dribble penetration, Kaplansky said.
Baler post players Butler and Jason Sims held Evan Smith to just two points in the game. Smith had 19 points in the Cowboys’ 49-48 loss to Live Oak on Tuesday.
The Balers did well on the boards, with players like Darryl Baladad, Kevin Zanella, Sharp, Butler and Sims hauling in the rebounds.
“The difference in the game was we were able to get second and third shots while we forced them to one shot until the last possession,” Kaplansky said.
The Balers will play visiting Palma on Tuesday night. The Balers’ 3-1 record was the same as the team had last year. San Benito opened up with three consecutive wins before losing to Salinas.
“We are still in it,” Kaplansky said. “Our focus is still on the TCAL title. Hopefully we still have a chance to be in it when we play the last game of the year. We just got to keep playing the same way. We have to defend our home court and steal them on the road.”
San Benito: Davis 1 0-0 3, D. Baladad 1 0-1 2, Sharp 8 7-12 26, Zanella 2 2-2 6, Butler 3 6-8 12. Totals 15 15-23 49.
Salinas: Atkins 0 2-2 2, McCarty 6 4-4 16, Lucero 4 4-5 13, Svendsen 3 0-0 6 Yonemitsu 1 0-0 2, Smith 1 0-1 2, 15 10-12 45.
Three pointers: SB-Sharp (3), Davis 1, S-Lucero 1
