San Benito challenges, but falters late; falls 44-38 to Live
Oak
Morgan Hill – Once again, the San Benito girls basketball team found itself staring at a big deficit. Down nine points at the half to hot-shooting Live Oak, the Haybalers were up against another disheartening defeat in the Tri-County Athletic League.
But then the team suddenly came alive.
Playing with confidence at both ends of the floor, San Benito (6-9, 0-3 TCAL) rallied to take the lead 14 seconds into the fourth quarter. The ‘Balers gave the host Acorns all they could handle, using a full-court man-to-man defense to frustrate Live Oak’s offensive rhythm.
Ultimately, San Benito fell 44-38 as it could only manage one basket in the final two minutes, but the team showed important signs that it is rounding into a cohesive unit that should start turning losses into wins.
“We’re used to playing from behind,” said ‘Balers head coach Al Rowe, whose team lost by more than 20 points to both Gilroy and North Salinas to start its TCAL season. “[But] for us to come back like that … it shows a little maturity. The girls are starting to at least execute.”
Trailing 26-17 at the half after a blistering shooting performance by Live Oak, San Benito came out with a new-look defense that stalled the Acorns and allowed the visitors to creep back in the game.
“We went to a trap defense and it worked,” said Rowe, whose ‘Balers limited Live Oak to four points in the third quarter. “We had ’em frustrated.”
San Benito’s patience in its offense also paid dividends as the team didn’t force the ball and, as a result, started finding open looks. After rotating the ball around the perimeter, sophomore guard Elena Fata passed to Jordan Lee for a three-pointer that brought the ‘Balers to within 30-27 with 1:38 left in the third quarter. San Benito’s Bri Romero forced an Acorns’ turnover to get the ‘Balers the ball right back, and then Fata converted two free throws to leave her team down by one point entering the fourth quarter.
Once Fata hit two more free throws to start the final period, San Benito found itself in the unusual position of leading late in the game. Unfortunately for the ‘Balers, their familiar turnover problems returned at an inopportune time and allowed Live Oak to regain its confidence and the lead.
When San Benito guard Vanessa Farias found Romero for a short jumper, the ‘Balers tied the game at 33 with 4:45 remaining, but the Acorns ran off the next six points on the heels of three straight San Benito turnovers.
“In tight games like that, any mistakes are not little mistakes,” said Rowe, whose bemoaned the ‘Balers’ third straight 30+ turnover game. “They’re big mistakes.”
Fate seemed to be smiling on the ‘Balers when the referees credited a basket to Ashley Patton after the ball appeared to hit a wire above the backboard. Patton, fouled on the play, hit her free throw to bring San Benito within 39-36 with 2:15 left. But Live Oak connected on 5-of-8 foul shots to put the game away.
“We definitely had an awesome defense,” said Romero, who scored a team-high 11 points and posted two steals. “We played together as a team until we fell apart at the end.”
Lee suggested once the ‘Balers put together a complete game, they have the talent to be a threat to just about anyone they face.
“It’s depressing that we’ve been losing all these games,” said Lee. “We just need to [continue to] all jell together as a team. Once we do, we’ll be unbeatable, unstoppable.”
Live Oak (8-8, 2-1 TCAL) opened the game with an 8-2 run, as forward Colleen Henningsen hit three quick jump shots. When Acorns guard Annalise Curley found Henningsen on the left block for a turnaround basket late in the second quarter, Live Oak took a 22-11 lead.
Acorns head coach Jeff Perkins was relieved his team built up enough of an early lead to withstand the ‘Balers’ late charge.
“Early on, we shot the ball really, really well,” said Perkins, “but in the second half, we couldn’t make a basket and we let them back in the game.”
San Benito received contributions from much of its roster. Bri’s sister, Ari, a senior forward, grabbed 10 rebounds and finished with six points, while Patton finished with five points and six rebounds. Fata scored eight points, including her perfect 4-4 showing at the line, and Farias contributed four points and a team-high three steals.
Live Oak’s Henningsen led all scorers with 14 points, including 12 in the first half, and forward Mattie Borges scored 13 points and hit 5-of-7 free throws.
Despite their narrow defeat, or perhaps because of it, the ‘Balers are hungry to get back out on the court.
“We definitely wanted to clinch this one,” said Bri Romero, “but we’ll just come back in the next game stronger.”
San Benito continues TCAL play by hosting Sobrato on Wednesday.
