San Benito’s girls basketball team hung with Castro Valley throughout the first half of its opening game in the West Coast Jamboree. But a third-quarter, defensive meltdown proved costly as the ‘Balers lost 51-38 at Brentwood’s Liberty High.
“The first half went really well,” said San Benito head coach Al Rowe. “[Castro Valley] just had a big quarter. We put our tails between our legs and let them go by.”
The ‘Balers allowed a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer, but still went into the locker room trailing just 21-17. But Castro Valley’s 18-8 third-quarter blitz proved decisive.
“The turnovers killed us,” said Rowe. “We didn’t quite take care of the ball. We put up a lot of shots, but nothing went in.”
Freshmen Vanessa Farias and Symone Baker led San Benito with 11 and 10 points, respectively, and senior Ashley Patton added nine.
Baker gave the team a scare with a fourth-quarter tumble that left her with a severe concussion, but after a visit to the hospital, she was faring much better last night. Rowe called the possibility unlikely, but said Baker might take the court with the ‘Balers today.
San Benito (4-5) plays McClymonds at 10:00am, a team which the ‘Balers had the chance to observe in first-round action. The team only suited up six players yesterday and if that remains the case today, Rowe wants his team to take advantage.
“Our object going in is to push the ball,” said Rowe. “Keep ’em running and pressure defense.”
