‘Baler Wrestlers Start Perfect in Tourney
Anzar boys basketball stays undefeated; ‘Baler girls basketball fall in OT
n BY Jimmy Durkin
Sports Editor
Hollister – San Benito kicked off action in its Fehlman/Baxter tournament Friday by going unbeaten in pool play.
The Haybalers earned easy victories over King City, Santa Teresa and Dos Pueblos.
Atascadero, who San Benito coach Matt Olejnik said is the tournament favorite, also went undefeated Friday.
The ‘Balers will open today’s second day of action in the dual meet competition by matching up with Monta Vista at 9am.
San Benito will then have its showdown with Atascadero at about 12:30pm and will also face Mission San Jose and Harbor.
Junior Davila, Josh Ramirez, Fernando Lucatero and Manny Tovar all delivered strong performances for the ‘Balers, going unbeaten in their three matches.
Boys’ Basketball
Mountain View – The Anzar boys basketball team stayed undefeated with a 66-23 win over Mountain View Academy in Thursday’s late action.
Scott Benson paced the Hawks with 30 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks.
James Henrard added 19 points and Eric Olsen had six points, eight rebounds, seven assists and nine blocked shots. Steven Mockabee also had six points.
“Scott again had an outstanding game inside,” coach Ed Cecena said. “Most of his points came from inside, off offensive rebounds.”
Anzar (3-0) jumped out to a 35-12 lead by halftime before cruising to its third straight win.
The Hawks have outscored their opponents 214-105 in their three games, with Benson averaging 32.5 points and 14 rebounds.
“It was our press that opened it up for us,” Cecena said. “And Scott and Eric’s low-post presence couldn’t be stopped.”
Girls Basketball
San Jose – San Benito played arguably its best game of the season, but fell to Oak Grove 69-68 in overtime Thursday night.
Five ‘Balers scored in double-digits, paced by Vanessa Farias with 17 points. Megan Halstead (12), Morgan O’Laughlin (12), Elena Fata (10) and Kelsey Russel (10) also had big nights for San Benito.
San Benito took a 17-13 lead after the first quarter, but a big second period by the Eagles left the ‘Balers trailing 36-31 at halftime.
Oak Grove lengthened its lead to 50-41 entering the fourth quarter, but San Benito outscored the Eagles 18-9 to force the game into overtime, where Oak Grove got the edge.
Briana Grant (14 points, 16 rebounds) and Amie Sulaiman (15 points, 10 rebounds) both finished with double-doubles for the Eagles. Jalina Burris was their top scorer with 17 and Ebiye Niweigha added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Girls’ Soccer
San Juan Bautista – The Anzar girls soccer team dropped its first Mission Trail Athletic League game of the season Friday, falling at home to Robert Louis Stevenson 3-1.
The Pirates scored three first-half goals to take the early edge.
The Hawks (4-3 overall, 4-1 MTAL) responded in the second half by punching in a goal and holding Stevenson scoreless, but Anzar couldn’t find the net enough to earn its fifth straight win.
“We had a real good second half,” coach Deric McLean said. “That’s a lot to build on.”
