Aptos – The San Benito boys basketball team stayed close for three quarters, but couldn’t overcome an early deficit and fell to Pioneer 55-45 in the fifth-place game of the Aptos Seascape Classic on Saturday.
The Haybalers got behind early, being outscored 18-10 in the first quarter.
San Benito rebounded in the second as it closed to within 26-23 by halftime.
Another strong effort in the third quarter allowed the ‘Balers to pull to with two points at 39-37 entering the final period.
But the Mustangs had enough firepower to pull away. They outscored San Benito 16-8 in the final seven minutes to earn the win.
Mike Collins, who was named to the all-tournament team, had 14 points for Pioneer while Gilbert Mendoza scored a team-high 15. T.J. Watson added eight.
The ‘Balers were led by point guard Marty Bueno’s team-high 15 points and four assists.
Todd Janisch added 10 points, while Kevin Burley scored six points and pulled down five rebounds. David Bryant was San Benito’s top rebounder with six.
Gilroy earned the tournament title with a 53-50 win over Aptos.
Javin Charlot had 14 points, five rebounds and five assists and was named tournament MVP, despite the fact that the transfer from Oak Grove wasn’t cleared of his eligibility until Friday and missed the tournament’s first game.
Kameron Handy had 16 points and six rebounds in the title game win and 6-foot-11 Spencer Ford and 6-8 Lorenzo Dobson both had 13 rebounds.
Dobson and Handy were both all-tournament selections.
The ‘Balers return to tournament action today when they begin play in the Independence Tournament at Independence High in San Jose.
Girls Soccer
San Juan Bautista – Anzar made it three wins in a row – and two straight by a 7-0 margin – by beating visiting Soledad on Friday.
Leah Jimenez punched in three goals, while Michelle Chatley, Olivia Austin, Alex Brown and Mackenzie Quaid all added single goals.
Brown finished with two assists, Austin and Chatley each had one assist and Sara Chatley also had an assists.
Erin Deleissegues had five saves to record another shutout for the Hawks, who are now 3-2 on the season and 3-0 in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
