The San Benito girls basketball team’s Central Coast Section
Division I title, not to mention its trip to Nor-Cals, was the top
local sports story of 2008
Top Story No. 1
Lady ‘Balers Make the Leap
One year removed from an 8-15 season, the San Benito girls basketball team went from worst to first this year, compiling a 24-6 record en route to their very first Central Coast Section Division I title in March.
The Lady ‘Balers used a high-pressure defense to claim the Tri-County Athletic League crown with an 11-1 record, then ran the table in the CCS playoffs – trumping Carlmont 54-43 in the D-I final – before finishing 1-1 in the Nor-Cal Championships.
“It’s never been done before,” guard Kelsey Russell said last season, “so we’re pretty excited.”
In fact, it was the first time any basketball team from Hollister qualified for the CCS title game or the Nor-Cal tournament, and San Benito did both rather convincingly.
With new coach David Kaplansky at the helm, San Benito adopted a defense that was second to none and a never-give-up attitude that kept the Lady ‘Balers in nearly every game.
But with only six losses all season, there were few games San Benito couldn’t win, didn’t win.
“Making history,” said San Benito guard Elena Fata after the team’s CCS semifinal win over Piedmont Hills. “Just keep making history.”
Top Story No. 2
San Benito Softball Delivers Three-Peat
The San Benito girls softball team is making this a habit.
Coming into this season with a target on their back after having won the previous two Central Coast Section Division I titles, the Lady ‘Balers did what they do best.
Compiling a 28-4 record overall, San Benito went undefeated in the Tri-County Athletic League – a first for the TCAL – before going 3-0 in the section tournament as the No. 1 seed.
To top it off, the Lady ‘Balers downed league rival Gilroy 8-3 in the CCS championship.
“I think this [championship] is probably one of the sweeter ones,” San Benito manager Scott Smith said after the win over Gilroy. “This one, we were almost dealing with complacency, but I think I misconstrued that (earlier in the season) because it was a calmness.”
Top Story No. 3
San Benito Wrestling Tough to Beat
The San Benito wrestling team wasn’t short on making headlines this year.
The Haybalers, which sent 13 wrestlers to the Central Coast Section Championships, finished second in the CCS this year behind only Gilroy, and even sent four to state.
That foursome was led by Fernando Lucatero, who finished fifth at 152 pounds, and was one year removed from a broken forearm that held him out of the previous year’s CCS Championships.
“Fernando wrestled lights out all weekend,” said coach Matt Olejnik.
Olejnik would later announce he’d be taking a similar coaching position at a high school in Bakersfield.
“I’m leaving behind a great situation and a great athletic town,” he said. “The talent here in San Benito is phenomenal.”
Top Story No. 4
Firsts All Around at Anzar High
The Anzar High girls basketball team made the Central Coast Section Division V playoffs for the first time in school history, and even compiled an 11-1 record in the Coastal Athletic League.
Not to be outdone, though, the Anzar High girls soccer team made the CCS Division III playoffs for the first time in school history as well after going 9-1-2 in the CAL.
But before 2008 was out, Anzar’s powerhouse cross country team may have topped them all.
Ranked No. 1 in D-V in the preseason, the Hawks were led by sophomore harrier Aaron Hsia-Coron, who earned the CCS title after clocking a 16:54 at Salinas’ Toro Park in November.
Top Story No. 5
Gavilan Softball Makes History
The Lady Rams, at 14-9 in the Coast Conference – South this year, were the winningest team in Gavilan College softball history, and even qualified for the regional playoffs for the first time since 1984 after they downed San Jose City College 6-4 in the final game of the regular season.
Honorable Mention (in no particular order)
Darin Gillies, Marisa Ibarra throw no-hitters; San Benito High boys track team earns seventh straight Tri-County Athletic League title, girls win second straight; San Benito High baseball team earns TCAL title, No. 1 seed in CCS playoffs; San Benito High boys golf team falls just shy of qualifying for CCS as a team, Nathan Winn and Will Cross make it as individuals, Justin Palmquist and Derell Aton take first at Junior Advisors Team Shoot Out; Morgan Hill golfer John Ellis wins the Order of Merit in Canada, competes at the US Open; Hollister boxer Kelsey Jeffries knocks out Jessica Mohs in the fourth round of their non-title fight; San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars go all the way to the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament; Alexandria Reckas continues to make the cut toward the Olympic Development Program’s regional soccer team; Ryan Bernal, 14, wins the wingless sprint division at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway; Courtney Allen and Rachel Shimabukuro earn trip to the state cross country meet; Amanda Marshall and Abbie Woods win doubles title at the TCAL Tournament, qualify for the CCS Championships.
