Roundup: San Benito wrestling team edges Salinas; Anzar soccer
game rained out
At least at the beginning of the game, San Benito’s offense
sometimes isn’t consistent enough to put teams away by itself. But
the defense is almost always up to the task.
Highlighted by 28 Salinas turnovers, which led to 23 more shots
on offense for San Benito, the Lady Balers played off their
defense’s rhythm Tuesday, held the visiting Cowboys to single
digits in each quarter, and easily disposed of Salinas 55-18 at
Hollister’s Mattson Gym.
Roundup: San Benito wrestling team edges Salinas; Anzar soccer game rained out
At least at the beginning of the game, San Benito’s offense sometimes isn’t consistent enough to put teams away by itself. But the defense is almost always up to the task.
Highlighted by 28 Salinas turnovers, which led to 23 more shots on offense for San Benito, the Lady Balers played off their defense’s rhythm Tuesday, held the visiting Cowboys to single digits in each quarter, and easily disposed of Salinas 55-18 at Hollister’s Mattson Gym.
The Lady Balers struggled early on offense, as a much-taller Salinas squad blocked at least seven shots in the first half from both the perimeter and the paint.
But San Benito offset the offensive miscues by forcing 15 turnovers in the first half, including a stretch of five consecutive takeaways in the first quarter that held the Cowboys scoreless for nearly six minutes of action.
“We played consistent defense, all night long,” San Benito head coach David Kaplansky said. “One through 13, every girl who played tonight did well defensively.”
Although it shot just 30 percent from the field in the first half, San Benito held Salinas to just four shots in the first quarter.
After Kristina Hlavacek deposited a mid-range jumper to give the Cowboys a 4-3 lead at the 5:30 mark, the Lady Balers closed out the first quarter on an 11-1 run, culminating with a Cyrena Salinas 3-pointer from the shoulder.
Salinas never regained the lead, and trailed 14-5 after one quarter, 24-11 at halftime.
Post player Victoria Aguilera finished with 12 points for San Benito, while point guard Erin Glasspool had 13 points behind three 3-pointers.
Cyrena Salinas chimed in with a pair of treys as well, and Nicole Rianda contributed eight points after shooting 3 of 5 from the field, 2 of 2 from the line.
Salinas’ Aimee Sawyer, Ashley Shaw and Hlavacek each had four points apiece.
Meanwhile, it’s the fourth straight victory for San Benito, which improves to 5-1 in the TCAL and 16-2 overall. San Benito’s game against Everett Alvarez on Thursday took place after The Weekend Pinnacle’s press time.
SBHS Wrestling
With San Benito leading Salinas by four points heading into the final match on Tuesday night, all Baler Mikey Soto needed to do was not lose by a major decision, or a technical fall, or a pin.
Any other result would equal a San Benito victory. Even a loss, as long as it came by decision, would benefit the Balers.
And despite having just returned to the lineup since suffering a shoulder injury in late December – last weekend’s Mid-Cal Classic was his first action back – Soto nevertheless posted a convincing 12-2 major decision over Salinas’ Daniel Proa at 142 pounds, and helped lead the Balers past the Cowboys 40-32 in Tri-County Athletic League action.
The dual-meet victory comes just three days after the Balers finished 14th out of 67 teams at Mid-Cals, although head coach Brian DeCarli said there was little to no fatigue with his team despite the quick turnaround.
“I don’t think there was any hangover from Mid-Cals,” DeCarli said. “They were competitive.
“At this point in the season, everyone is gonna be a little tired. But I think we were fairly competitive.”
The Balers are off until next Wednesday when they will visit Gilroy for their final dual meet of the regular season. Match time is 6:30 p.m.
AHS Boys Soccer
For the third game in a row, the Anzar boys soccer team’s scheduled Coastal Athletic League matchup was postponed. The Hawks were slated to play at Marina on Tuesday, but wet weather once again pushed the game back to a later date.
No make-up date was announced.
Of the three postponed games, only Anzar’s contest against York has been rescheduled. The two teams will meet in San Juan Bautista on Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
Anzar’s (0-1 CAL, 0-5) scheduled matchup on Thursday against Pacific Collegiate took place after The Weekend Pinnacle’s press time.
