Lady Bulldogs grounded against PH
MORGAN HILL — Hoping to build off Friday’s 28-point victory over Silver Creek that Sobrato coach Natalie Bobuk said brought out “the team that’s been hiding from her all season,” the Lady Bulldogs instead receded with a 58-37 loss to Piedmont Hills on Wednesday in Sobrato Gym.
The Bulldogs battled with Piedmont Hills’ physical style of play, but struggled mightily from the field, shooting 12 for 55 (22 percent). This after an 84-point outburst against Silver Creek.
“The Silver Creek game was amazing. Everything just clicked. Everything was working for us,” Sobrato forward Katie Nicca said. “I think we had moments in this game where we played like we did Friday. But I don’t think it carried over.”
Sarina Santiago led the Bulldogs with eight points, and Nicca added seven, matching teammate Gabi Gamez. Nicca also had seven rebounds and three blocks.
Michelle Bradley collected six rebounds to go with five points for Sobrato, which fell to 12-12 overall and 4-9 in Blossom Valley Athletic League-Mount Hamilton Division play.
The playoff-bound Pirates (17-9 overall, 10-3 BVAL) held a 44-31 edge in rebounds and were led with Kiana Jones’ 15 points.
Piedmont Hills flexed its muscle in the third quarter when it outscored the Bulldogs 21-7.
Sobrato trailed 15-12 at halftime.
“We panicked,” Bobuk said. “I want to say we gave up. They got intimidated by the other team. Piedmont Hills was rough, and my girls don’t like contact.”
The Bulldogs didn’t need to be hasty in gliding past Silver Creek (11-12, 4-9).
Sobrato eclipsed 20 points in three quarters and had five players score in double figures. Santiago totaled a career-high 23 points, Melissa Cachopo and Bradley netted 14 apiece, Gamez poured in a dozen, and Shealyn Kunze scored 10. Cachopo completed a double-double with 10 assists.
“That was the first time that I have seen five girls on the court playing together,” said Bobuk, now in her first season with the Bulldogs. “That’s the first time they’ve come onto the court and played as a team. … It was all of them playing together.”
Bobuk hopes to see more of that Friday when the Bulldogs host Leigh in their final regular-season home game. The Longhorns won the last meeting 40-31.
“(Leigh) made us look pretty bad in that game,” Bobuk added. “We’re hoping to finish like we can.”
