San Benito’s Victoria Aguilera, Vanessa Casalegno play in senior
all-star game
SALINAS
Victoria Aguilera posted a game-high 14 points and Vanessa Casalegno chipped in eight as the two senior San Benito Lady Balers suited up for their final prep basketball game in the Third Annual North-South All-Star Basketball Classic presented by the Salinas Steinbeck Rotary Club on Friday night in Salinas.
In a game that showcased some of the top senior girls in the tri-county area, Aguilera and Casalegno helped the South squad to a 72-43 victory over the North.
But what was the best part of the evening? According to the girls, it was about a little redemption.
“Let me start off by saying that it was awesome beating coach (Darren) Jackson,” said Aguilera with a sly grin of the North’s honorary coach, and head man of the North Salinas Vikings — the team that knocked the Lady Balers out of the Central Coast Section playoffs back in March.
The Lady Vikings went on to capture the Division I title.
The exhibition was formatted with a college clock — two 20-minute halves — and allowed for an open style of play.
“It was really fun,” said Casalegno, who plans to walk on at Santa Clara University in the fall. “We got to meet some new people. There were some teammates and family here. It was cool.”
Proceeds from the event were split between two worthy causes, the Boys and Girls Club of Salinas and the Sunrise House, a youth and family crisis and counseling center.
“It was cool,” said Aguilera, the Tri-County Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player who is headed to San Jose City College in the fall.
“I had a good time, got a work out in and got to play in a game.”
