After the first season under head coach Mitch Burley ended in a second round loss in the Central Coast Section playoffs, the San Benito girls basketball team will look to take another step forward with a slightly different look this year.
Gone is the Balers’ size – and Kelsey Robledo – that they relied on so much last year. Instead, this year San Benito will be a quicker and more athletic club, Burley said. With that quickness, the Balers will play tougher defense.
“I think we are more of a guard oriented team,” he said. “We are more of a running team. A more pressing team. We are going to have a lot of fun. It’s going to be a fun game to watch.”
That style of play showed in the Balers season-opening loss to Piedmont Hills last week. In the game, San Benito put a lot of pressure on the Pirate offense throughout.
With so many young player – only five seniors are on the roster – the loss, will only help them in their next contest, Burley said.
“I think we are in a good place,” he said. “I think when you you’re scheduling games, there are no excuses. I thought we played a little tentative at times. We only have five returning girls and seven new girls. And lot of the minutes are by new girls too. I think that all factored in. I think it will help us a lot.”
The new look Balers include a new point guard – sophomore Anjelica Collins – and a more aggressive approach. So far, Collins has fit right in.
“It’s really fun,” she said. “I love being out there with the girls, they are great. I’m learning so much. I think we can go somewhere. I have a lot of confidence in the girls.”
But Collins’ play alongside varsity veterans Ellie Burley, Kim Sparrer, Elizabeth Reikowski and Taylor Fabing will be important to San Benito’s season long success, Mitch Burley said.
“We have a little more experience with ball handling and that’s going to be a key,” he said. “Looking back on our season last year, we came in third in league and won a CCS game but we want to progress and hopefully finish better than third this year.”
Because of the youth, the Balers expect to be faster this winter, said Fabing, who along with Sparrer are team captains.
“I believe that we are really strong team,” Fabing said. “I think we could get a lot of points in different type of areas. We are a really fast team.”
The Balers season continues Thursday in the first game of the Watsonville Wildcatz Tournament. Regardless of a win or loss, San Benito will play Friday as well.
