Anzar denies Carmel the Mission Trail title with 52-45 victory
on Saturday; No. 4 Hawks set to host York in CCS Division V
playoffs
Talk about a dream weekend for the Anzar boys basketball team.
First, the Hawks took care of business on the court, dispatching then-Mission Trail leader Carmel by a score of 52-45 on Saturday to notch their biggest victory to date. And then, Anzar was awarded the No. 4 seed in the Central Coast Section Division V playoffs and a resulting first-round home game when the postseason brackets were released on Sunday.
The Hawks, coming off a 46-34 home loss to Pacific Grove on Feb. 16, had already qualified for their first-ever CCS appearance, but risked entering the postseason on a two-game skid if they couldn’t find a way to solve the Padres.
Carmel, meanwhile, arrived in San Juan Bautista on a blistering streak. After winning nine of their past ten games–and rolling over those victims by an average of nearly 17 points–the Padres would secure at least a share of the Mission Trail Athletic League title with a victory.
But the Hawks exposed Carmel’s press early and used a standout defensive effort of their own to earn a wire-to-wire victory.
“That was a great win for us,” said Anzar head coach Ed Cecena. “We probably played our best game. That’s what you want to see–playing your best basketball at the end.”
After learning how to effectively solve an opponent’s press earlier this season, the Hawks and Cecena welcome the opportunity to get some breakaway baskets once they face the trapping defense. Anzar made Carmel pay by taking advantage of the visitors’ game-opening strategy, running to a 16-10 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Then the Hawks (13-10) turned up the defensive pressure of their own. By preventing Carmel from driving into the lane, Anzar forced the Padres to settle for outside shots. Those lower-percentage shots never fell, leaving Carmel without a consistent offense.
Cecena was pleased that the Hawks have developed into a “tough-minded defensive team.”
“Recovering back, helping each other on ‘D,’ challenging shots … that’s what’s making us stingy on defense,” said the Hawks coach.
Carmel (13-12, 11-3 Mission Trail) opted to start fouling with about three minutes left in the game in an attempt to close the gap, but Anzar made enough of its free throws to keep the visitors at bay.
Hawks junior forward Scott Benson dominated with a 20-point, 12-rebound effort, mixing in two blocks for good measure. Nick Romero, a junior guard, finished with eight points–including 4-of-4 free throws–as well as three blocks and a steal. Sophomore center Eric Olson also enjoyed a well-rounded game of seven points, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
The victory evened Anzar’s Mission Trail record at 7-7 and gave the team sole possession of fourth place in the eight-team league. After seven consecutive seasons in the cellar, the Hawks have improved so much this season that they came within one point of defeating league champion Soledad and, after Saturday, scored a statement victory over runner-up Carmel.
Anzar’s accomplishments merited the opportunity for the team to host an opening-round game when the Division V playoffs tip off tomorrow night. The No. 4 Hawks are set to face No. 13 York at 7pm, an opponent Cecena believes his team should defeat.
“We should win on paper,” said Cecena, noting that the Falcons (9-3) play in a charter-school league that doesn’t have a big basketball tradition, “[but] you can’t overlook anybody.”
The winner of tomorrow’s contest will play the No. 5 Eastside Prep/No. 12 Anchorpoint Christian victor on Saturday at Cupertino’s De Anza College.
“I like our position,” said Cecena of being the top seed in the quadrant. “If everything goes according to the seedings … we have a good chance of getting to the semifinals.”
