Megan Yabumoto and Kianna Maldia combined for 27 points to help lead Sobrato over Willow Glen 63-36.
Sobrato took an early 8-0 lead thanks largely in part to two 3-points by Yabumoto along with a stellar defense.
The Bulldogs forced seven of the Rams’ 15 turnovers in the first quarter and limited Willow Glen to eight points.
“We knew every other pass would go on the inside so we just made sure to move our feet and try to watch the inside more than the outside,” Yabumoto said.
Sobrato never trailed in the game as the defense made sure the lead kept growing throughout the night, especially in the third quarter where it allowed only four points while scoring 21.
“Communication was really (the) key to get (stops). The ball movement was pretty good,” said Sobrato’s Helena Batey about the Rams. “They saw our weak spots, but we were able to find them too and stop them.”
Sobrato benefited from shooting beyond the three-point line going 9 of 18 knowing they were the smaller team on the court.
“Everybody finally accepted the roles and contributed from there,” Sobrato coach Erica Wallace said. “From the inside to the outside everybody pulled their weight.”
The Bulldogs got a big contribution from Ally Nodohara coming off the bench with eight points including two 3s.
Despite the success Sobrato was having with the 3-pointers, it was not the main focus. Whenever the Bulldogs had possession they looked for the open player.
It was the case in the second quarter when the Bulldogs stole the ball and a quick long-pass to Karly Rebozzi turned into a layup for two of Rebozzi’s eight points to put Sobrato up 26-8 to finish a 9-0 run to start the quarter.
Sobrato’s night was summarized by one play: Jessica Byrum received a pass in the paint. Her shot was blocked, but she did not give up. Byrum rebounded her shot and immediately passed the ball back to an open Kianna Maldia for the 3-point shot.
Maldia finished with 13 points.
“We had a lot more energy and a lot more visual of the court,” Yabumoto said about what the team was doing right on the court.
Not every play was going how the Bulldogs wanted it to play out. Sobrato turned the ball over 18 times. Six were in the fourth quarter when they had a 33 point lead and five in the second quarter where all, but one were attempted passes to Batey in the paint.
“It was hard because every single person on their team was a little taller than us so we need to work on finding the right person at the right time,” Yabumoto said.
Despite the ball not always getting to her, Batey contributed with 10 points.
Coach Wallace said the win allows her to hold the team to a higher standard and expectations.
“Knowing that they can play like this now they have to prove it to me in practice every day and going forward,” Wallace said. “No more stepping down only stepping up.”
