In games decided by three points or fewer last season, the San
Benito boys basketball team compiled a 1-5 record, and three of
those losses came in the last three games of the season.
In games decided by three points or fewer last season, the San Benito boys basketball team compiled a 1-5 record, and three of those losses came in the last three games of the season.
For a team that lost its leading scorer in Todd Janisch (19.6 points per game), recording five more points per game this season may be easier said than done.
But coach John Becerra feels that with the court experience of his Haybalers this season, five more points per game, as well as a Tri-County Athletic League title, are realistic and attainable goals.
“The strength is the added experience on the team,” Becerra said. “This year we’re going to have mostly seniors starting. I think they feel more at ease on the court. I think they’ll do a better job offensively – just a little bit (more offense), and we’ll be a lot better.”
Consider San Benito’s 1-5 record in close games. Three of those contests came against Alisal and Alvarez – two teams that finished higher than the ‘Balers in the TCAL standings. With just five more points of offense in each of those games, or just five fewer points allowed on defense, San Benito would have likely been battling Gilroy for second place.
“That really hurt,” Becerra said. The coach added that a lax attitude showed up in those losses last season. “Other teams will be tough, but we have to play smart, aggressive and be intense.”
Losing five seniors to graduation last year, the ‘Balers’ roster this season is “senior-heavy,” Becerra said, compiling nine seniors and four juniors. That court experience will hopefully allow San Benito to get over that hump of close losses, and will hopefully allow them to match up with TCAL top dogs Palma and Gilroy.
“It’s a lot better,” said ‘Baler Jamil Taylor of the offense. “The team unity is a lot better … We all know each other.”
Added San Benito’s Kevin Burley, “Everybody is involved … The intensity is up.”
The ‘Balers will be running a flex offense, which is highlighted by crisp passing, screens and ball movement, and is usually most effective against a man-to-man. As for an increase in scoring, Taylor said it’s definitely possible.
“I think we’ve improved in all facets of our game,” Becerra said. “(Our weakness) still might be our shooting, if there is a weakness. I think we’ve improved, so it might be our weakness, but I hope we’ve corrected that already.
“All we need to do is increase our scoring about five more points and I think we’ll be OK.”
Returning to this year’s squad will be Marty Bueno, who was selected second team all-league last season, and Burley, who was chosen for the TCALs all-defensive squad in 2006.
Tonight, Becerra will get an official look at where the ‘Balers stand when they travel to Milpitas for a 7 p.m. game against the host Trojans.
San Benito went 4-2 in the first half of the league season last year, but finished 0-6. Tonight’s season-opener at Milpitas will be a measuring stick as to how far they’ve come.
Said Becerra, “It’s a game that will tell us a great deal on where we stand and how we’ll do for the rest of the season.”
