Wrestling team takes matches
The San Benito wrestling team, after breezing through King City
(64-15), Mira Monte (60-0), North Salinas (59-16) and Piedmont
Hills (63-12) at the annual Kenny Fehlman/Adam Baxter Memorial
Hollister Duals on Saturday, sat in a nailbiter with undefeated Los
Banos in the championship final.
Wrestling team takes matches
The San Benito wrestling team, after breezing through King City (64-15), Mira Monte (60-0), North Salinas (59-16) and Piedmont Hills (63-12) at the annual Kenny Fehlman/Adam Baxter Memorial Hollister Duals on Saturday, sat in a nailbiter with undefeated Los Banos in the championship final.
Trailing 31-30 with two matches remaining, the Balers sent two-time state qualifier Junior Davila to the mat, followed by 130-pound wrestler Morris Stevens.
Each won by fall over their Los Banos opponent as the Balers won 42-31.
It was only until after the match did the referee rule the 171-pound bout in favor of San Benito, which increased the Balers margin of victory in the end, 48-31.
The tournament victory was the first for new head coach Brian DeCarli, who takes over for Matt Olejnik.
The Balers, with a perfect 5-0 record Saturday, had nine wrestlers finish with undefeated records, including David Bazan (2-0, 112 pounds), Junior Davila (5-0, 125), Ryan Lopez (1-0, 140), Zack Rodriguez (4-0, 140), Josh Fontaine (1-0, 145), Josh Ramirez (4-0, 160), Enrique Lucatero (3-0, 171), Martin Garcia (3-0, 285) and Sam Stephens (1-0, 285).
San Benito High boys’ basketball
Led by 15 points from Dominic Zanella, the San Benito boys’ basketball team had 10 different scorers on Saturday as they routed Watsonville 75-23 in the consolation game at the 26th Annual Seascape Classic in Aptos.
San Benito went 2-1 at the tournament to finish in fifth place.
After losing to Gunn 48-38 in the opening round on Thursday, the Balers rebounded with a 63-53 victory against league rival Gilroy on Friday, setting up Saturday’s showdown with Watsonville.
San Benito lost, however, to Monta Vista 61-52 Tuesday in the opening round at the Fukishima Invitational at Independence High.
Eric Elayda had 15 points for the Balers.
San Benito is now 3-3 on the season.
San Benito High girls’ basketball
After falling to Presentation 72-31 last Friday, the San Benito girls basketball team quickly rebounded Tuesday in an easy 62-20 rout against visiting North Monterey County at Hollister’s Mattson Gym.
Vanessa Farias led all scorers with 22 points, while post player Megan Halstead added 11. San Benito had 10 different scorers on the night.
The Lady Balers defense shined in the victory as well. After allowing just a single point in the first quarter, San Benito shut the Condors out in the fourth quarter.
San Benito High boys’ soccer
Brian Cruz’ goal off a penalty kick in the final minute of play propelled the San Benito boys soccer team to a 3-2 victory against visiting Monte Vista Christian in Hollister on Friday, and supplied the Haybalers with their second straight win.
MVC was called for a hand-ball in the box in the 79th minute of play, and Cruz nailed in the game-winner for San Benito.
In a back-and-forth game that sat scoreless at halftime, Monte Vista Christian never led in the contest but did managed to pound in the equalizer twice.
Andres Hurtado put San Benito up first, though, when he rebounded a ball that bounced off MVC’s goalie in the 50th minute. San Benito took a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute on a goal by Manuel Meza.
