Sobrato punctuates first home game with 64-56 victory over
Acorns
MORGAN HILL — Led by Ryan Williams and the newly reunited Bradley brothers, Sobrato boys basketball began its 2009-10 home stand with poetic efficiency Monday, cruising by the Live Oak Acorns 65-43 on the opening night of play in the Bulldog Chase Tournament.
Williams matched Live Oak’s Michael Schreiber with a game-high 15 points, and Bryan Bradley scored 11 to lead Sobrato.
Back at full speed for the first time this season, Chris Bradley added 10 points for the tournament-host Bulldogs, who played their first seven games on the road.
“The guys felt great to be back,” Sobrato coach Lee Washington said Tuesday. “Our objective always against rivals is to play well and show them that everything we’ve been doing has been worth it. I was proud of our effort from top to bottom.”
The Acorns received a dozen points from Cody Gallizioli and seven from Nathan Seifert.
“We knew Williams was one of their best players, so we tried to control him and their other shooters,” Live Oak coach Brett Paolucci said. “We did fine at first, then they started hitting big shots.”
Tuesday against Gilroy, Williams and Bryan Bradley came through for 17 and 18 points, respectively, but the Bulldogs lost 64-56. Sobrato’s Pierre Hemphill joined them in double figures with 10 points.
Washington still likes the direction his team is headed. The Bulldogs (4-5 overall) will play a final Chase Tournament game today before Wednesday’s Santa Teresa Division opener at Silver Creek.
“For the strength of schedule we have, we’re right where we expected to be,” said Washington, now in his first year as varsity coach.
The Acorns (3-6), who fell 66-55 to Santa Clara on Tuesday, open West Valley Division play Wednesday at Lincoln.
“We’re not where we need to be at all,” Paolucci said. “We have to play better basketball. Some things are working, like our offense, but our defense needs to improve.”
