MORGAN HILL — Against a girls basketball team as unexpectedly young as Sobrato, Piedmont Hills’ full-court press almost seemed unfair.
As long as their opponent couldn’t crack it, the Pirates had no reason to let up Tuesday; never mind that they were hitting 3-pointer after 3-pointer at the other end of the Sobrato Main Gym. Piedmont Hills built a massive early lead to secure its second Mount Hamilton Division win, 49-30.
Sizing up the starters, there was no reason to question if the Bulldogs could earn their first league victory. They were taller and just as athletic as their visitors, who had lost five of their last six games going in. The Pirates had one major advantage, though: Most of them have been playing together since the season began. Entwined into each of their frustating defensive schemes and clockwork possessions was a double helix of cohesion and experience.
Sobrato traded hits early on, then lost composure after Tiarra Leao buried a trey, Kiana Jones completed a three-point play and Leao nailed a 3 that pushed Piedmont Hills ahead 12-6. Katie Nicca answered with a coast-to-coast drive, but Tayla Monroe came back with another 3-pointer to make it 15-8. Jones, who flirted with a triple-double — 22 points, 15 rebounds, six steals — made a put-back shot with 30 seconds left, and the Bucs went into the second quarter leading 19-8.
Playing catch-up against a full-court press was too much for the Bulldogs (3-16 overall, 0-9 league).
Sobrato scored 12 of its remaining 22 points from the free-throw line, including six from forward Alyssa Firato. The freshman led her team in scoring — 16 points, 12 rebounds — for the fourth time in six games.
Saida Sampson finished with seven points, and sophomore center Jessica Westall had five to go with eight rebounds.
Jones made two free throws late in the third quarter to give Piedmont Hills (4-12, 2-6) its largest lead, 39-17. Firato converted a one-and-one trip, and Sampson dropped in a pull-up jumper as time expired to make it 39-21.
Westall’s free throw with 3:07 remaining pulled the Bulldogs within 15 at 43-28. That was as close as they got.
Overfelt 40, Live Oak 23
In one of her last home games as a Live Oak basketball player, Ariana Guerrero led her team with 11 points Tuesday against the Royals.
She was one of four Acorns who scored. Seniors Jacey Turay, Jasmine Muerong and sophomore Danielle Horning ended with four points apiece for Live Oak (3-13, 1-7), which will play its first of two final home game at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Yerba Buena.
Overfelt (9-6, 7-2) moved a half game behind Hill in the West Valley Division standings.
The Royals received a dozen points from Raylene Salanoa and eight from Lofi Taliaoa and Jessica Celeste.
