Down two guards, forward, Bulldogs have to grow up fast
MORGAN HILL — Shifting weight from one crutch to the other, Sobrato point guard Melissa Cachopo spent most of Tuesday’s pregame warmup sizing up Santa Teresa’s talented ball-handlers, the ones she hopes she will be healthy enough to face later this season.
“They’re good, really good,” Cachopo said. “I’ve played club ball with some of them, so I know what to expect. I look forward to the next time we play them.”
Instead of helping her short-handed team on the court, Cachopo spent the evening seated next to her injured swingman, Courtney Sedlak. It was a sad image for the Lady Bulldogs faithful in Sobrato Main Gym, and the scoreboard didn’t help. The overpowering Saints netted the first dozen points in the opening two minutes and marched to a 65-28 win.
The seasonlong loss of Sedlak, coupled with Cachopo’s Jan. 5 knee sprain and Pryanka Kumar’s departure for academic reasons leaves an even tougher road to haul for the Bulldogs, who fell to 3-10 overall and 0-3 in the Mount Hamilton Division. Cachopo, a senior, said she could be back in a week. Her coach is hoping for the best and planning for the worst.
“Melissa pushes herself hard,” Natalie Bobuk said Wednesday. “I’m focused on her healing and trying to work with what we have.
“There were times last night that our younger girls were looking for someone to take their place. They’ve relied on Courtney and Melissa and Pryanka so much this year. I’m pushing them to fill those gaps.”
Sobrato freshman center Alyssa Firato rose up to record her first double-double: 10 points and 12 rebounds. She tied for a game high in scoring with Madison Sanders-Curry and Jelly Carrasco, who led Santa Teresa (11-2, 3-0).
The Bulldogs’ remaining starting seniors, Katie Nicca and Megan Ando, finished with six and two points, respectively.
“They’re doing a huge job for us,” Bobuk said. “Megan was one of the only ones sprinting the whole court Tuesday. Katie has been huge defensively. She’s the voice on the court; it’s quiet when she’s not out there. They’ve been amazing, but they can’t be the only ones.
“I’m hoping the rest of them push themselves, so we never have another night like last night.”
Branham escapes in fourth
The visiting Bruins broke open a close game in the final period Tuesday, escaping Live Oak High with a 52-41 victory in West Valley Division play.
Freshman post Fa Saulala led the Acorns (2-9, 0-3) with a game-high 13 points, and teammate Ariana Guerrero added 11.
Branham (9-4, 2-1) led 34-28 after three quarters.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Bulldogs shove aside 76ers
In blasting Independence, a defending Santa Teresa Division co-champion, 60-49 Wednesday in the 76ers’ home gym, Sobrato stamped its biggest statement of the 2009-10 season thus far.
The Bulldogs led by 10 points after the first quarter and remained comfortably after the third, pushing ahead 45-30. Ryan Williams scored a game-high 15 points, and Chris Bradley chipped in 14 for Sobrato (8-5, 3-0), which moved into a tie for first place with Del Mar.
Independence (5-8, 2-1) fell a game back.
Third quarter dooms LO
The Acorns kept pace with first-place Branham until the third quarter Wednesday, when the Bruins reeled off 21 points.
That became the linchpin in a 59-47 road loss for Live Oak.
The Acorns (4-9, 1-2 West Valley) received 18 points from Dominic Leach, who was one shy of matching a season high, 15 from Nathan Seifert and 11 by Michael Schreiber.
Brandon Nall scored 14 to lead Branham (9-4, 3-0).
GIRLS SOCCER
Acorns win third straight
Megan Rauschnot provided five points — two goals, one assist — and Tiffany Geer scored once to help Live Oak beat conference rival Willow Glen for the first time in more than three years, 3-1, Wednesday in San Jose.
Winners of three straight, the Lady Acorns (5-1-3, 3-0) own sole possession of first place in the Mount Hamilton.
The Rams (1-3-2, 1-2) tied the game in the first half before Live Oak scored twice in the second.
Bulldogs tie Overfelt
Nika Burnett drove in her first goal of the season, and Jennae Cambra netted her 11th on a penalty kick as Sobrato stay undefeated in Santa Teresa Division play with a 2-2 tie Wednesday at Overfelt.
The Lady Bulldogs (3-1-4, 1-0-2) upped their unbeaten streak to five matches, while the Royals moved to 2-2-2 and 0-1-1.
