High School Sports

Shantay Tamez is the high school version of Stephen Curry on the soccer field, where a shot from long range equates to a good scoring opportunity. Tamez’s rifle for a leg was on full display in the San Benito High girls soccer team’s 5-0 dismantling of Gilroy on Jan. 29.

Dominique Monteon already knows where she’ll be playing softball in college—and she hasn’t even played a game in high school. On Jan. 24, the San Benito High freshman made a verbal commitment to play softball at the University of North Carolina, a school that ranks high both for athletics and academics.

R.J. Clark has always been known for his football skills. But the San Benito High senior has proved he’s got some serious game on the basketball court as well. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Clark has had a breakthrough season, contributing in a variety of ways for a team that is looking to make some noise before the regular season ends.

The San Benito High wrestling team took all of the drama out of Wednesday night’s Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division match against visiting Christopher. The Haybalers won nine of the first 14 individual weight classes en route to a 51-18 victory.

At certain points in a game, Abraham Arevalo can’t see his teammate, Jonathan Garcia, up the field. But the sophomore midfielder delivers a through ball, anyway, knowing his good friend will be in the vicinity of the pass and in prime scoring position.

Before the start of a match against York on Jan. 8, Anzar High senior forward Charlene Tomasini approached teammate Ronnee Davis and asked her if she was ready to play forward. Davis was thinking, ‘Say what?’

From an early age, Jessica Bueno had a knack for shooting the ball. Introduced to the game at 6 or 7, Bueno always received advice from her dad, Manuel, on the fundamentals of proper shooting technique. The San Benito High senior shooting guard has used that advice every time she went into a practice or game, and it’s evident her diligence and hard work have paid off.

It’s gut-check time for the San Benito High boys soccer team. After a 2-1 loss to Pajaro Valley on Monday, the Haybalers have little margin for error if they plan on finishing in the top three in the tough Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division. San Benito, which is battling Pajaro Valley for fourth place in the standings, dropped to 0-2-3 in league play.

Michael Camacho entered the week with a perfect 17-0 record, having pinned every single opponent. Ranked No. 5 among 195 pounders in the Central Coast Section, Camacho will receive considerably tougher competition this weekend in the Mid-Cals at Gilroy High, which features top wrestlers from the Central Coast and North Coast Sections.

When Diego Garcia rolled his ankle in the first quarter in a game against Christopher on Jan. 13, he was determined to finish the contest. And that’s exactly what the San Benito High senior did, finishing with 14 points in the Haybalers’ 67-60 loss. San Benito entered Wednesday’s game against Salinas with a 0-4 league record, but Garcia’s play has been a positive in an otherwise tough season.