Bulldogs force more than 25 turnovers in victory over Soledad
High School
MORGAN HILL
In basketball at any level, holding a team scoreless through a quarter is almost unheard of. Allowing only one basket in a half is astounding. And keeping an opponent to only nine points in a basketball game is downright uncanny.
On Friday, the Sobrato girls basketball team accomplished all three as they defeated the Soledad Aztecs, of Monterey, 50-9 in the second round of the Sobrato Shoot-out Tournament.
The Bulldogs put 40 points on the board by halftime, thanks, in part, to 18 first-half steals, while Soledad managed only one basket for two points.
The Bulldogs’ stifling defense and full-court press made it tough for the Aztecs to cross half court, let alone get a shot up.
Sobrato held Soledad scoreless in the first quarter, and allowed only two points in the second quarter.
In the second half, soft-spoken Sobrato coach Rodney Tabares showed some class in slowing down the frenzied pace.
“I told them to swing the ball around and get as many passes in as they could, and then take an open shot once the shot-clock got down to 10 seconds,” Tabares said.
The Bulldogs scored only 12 second-half points compared to 40 in the first half, while the Aztecs scored five points in the third quarter and two in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore guard Melissa Cachopo led the defensive effort for the Bulldogs with seven steals, seven points, two assists, and a blocked shot.
“We all played together, and we always come ready,” Cachopo said. “The harder we work, the more that hard work pays off.”
Sophomore guard Courtney Sedlak, who had four steals of her own, led the Bulldogs offense with 10 points.
“This is exciting,” Sedlack said of the lopsided-win. “We play as a team, not as individuals, and we all play with intensity.”
Tabares, who is in his fourth year as head coach at Sobrato, teaches his players to pressure the entire time they are on the court.
“We try to create havoc,” Tabares said. “If we can apply pressure to their guards and have their post players bringing the ball up court, that is what we want.”
Having built relationships with coaches at San Jose State University and Santa Clara University, Tabares has sat in on some of their practices and observed what makes those college programs successful.
“I bring the philosophies I’ve learned and teach them at our practices,” he said. “We’re looking to be the elite program in the area.”
On Thursday, in the first round, the Bulldogs blew out The King’s Academy, of Sunnyvale, 69-39. On Saturday, facing their toughest opponents yet, Sobrato pulled out a 41-34 win over the San Lorenzo Valley Cougars to win the Shoot-out championship for the second year in a row.
“It was a very tough game for us,” Tabares said. “They (SLV) handled the pressure well and got back in transition, forcing my team to play in the half court and rebound.”
Junior center Laura Billos was named MVP of the tournament for her post dominance, and sophomore guard Shaelyn Kunze was named to the All-Tournament Team for her all-around stellar guard play.
Heading into Monday’s home game against Valley Christian-Dublin, the Bulldogs are 6-0, and their next game is Wednesday at Notre Dame – San Jose.
“We feel confident that the girls understand their roles, and the system,” Tabares said. “They are very disciplined on offense and defense.”
