Bulldogs 70-51 loss dashes CCS playoff chances; two tough games
ahead against Live Oak and Gilroy
Morgan Hill – Following their Wednesday night loss to San Benito in Hollister, the Sobrato Bulldogs boys basketball team put themselves in the unenviable position of having to win out to have a shot at making the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Friday night at home, the Palma Chieftains dashed the Bulldogs’ playoff hopes by defeating Sobrato 70-51.
“Palma shot the lights out,” said Sobrato coach Lawrence Crawford. “Orlando Johnson shot 80 percent from the free throw line for Palma when he is normally a 49 percent free throw shooter. I thought we could do a better job on him. They (Palma) played smart.”
Johnson led the Chieftains with 25 points in a game in which Palma drained nine 3-pointers.
In the second quarter Palma outscored Sobrato 23-8, which really made it an uphill battle for the Bulldogs, who trailed 39-23 at the half.
Mubarik Abdullahi led Sobrato with 16 points and Marqus Crawford had 15 points in the loss.
“We had a pretty good defensive game plan. Their (Palma) guys were hitting their outside shots,” said Crawford. “Mathematically we’re excluded from the playoffs which is probably the biggest disappointment.”
On Wednesday night the San Benito Haybalers ensured that they will qualify for the CC playoffs with their 54-49 victory over the Bulldogs in Hollister.
The ‘Balers (12-12, 6-4 TCAL) defeated the Bulldogs (7-15, 3-7 TCAL) despite finding themselves in foul trouble early with their aggressive defensive play.
“Overall we played ok,” said San Benito coach John Becerra. “Sobrato has a good team with some talented kids. This win is great because it assures that we’ll qualify for CCS and that’s always exciting.”
Forward Todd Janisch led San Benito with 16 points, five rebounds and one steal for the ‘Balers in the win and point guard Vince Bautista provided a spark for San Benito with 10 points, including two 3-pointers, one steal and one rebound.
“Vince Bautista did an outstanding job at point guard,” said Becerra. “I don’t think he missed a shot all night and he played good defense against Mubarik Abdullahi.”
San Benito’s aggressive style of defense earned them a lot of fouls early and put Sobrato in the bonus by the end of the first quarter. Fortunately for San Benito they have a deep bench and were able to substitute players when the personal fouls started piling up. At the end of the first, the ‘Balers narrowly led 14-12.
San Benito extended its lead to 26-22 at the half. The Bulldogs’ defense kept them in the game, as they were having trouble running their offensive game. Abdullahi and Marqus Crawford kept Sobrato close by hitting their free throws and forcing steals.
“We really struggled and did not play good basketball as a team,” said Crawford. “We ran no offense. Everything is a struggle. We have to battle for every single score. When you have to work that hard for baskets, it’s a recipe for failure.”
In the second half, San Benito kept up its aggressive defense and were rewarded with Sobrato’s inability to stop the ‘Baler offense.
Center Dean Wilkins dominated on the offensive and defensive boards, pulling in nine rebounds and finishing with eight points.
In the fourth quarter San Benito opened up an 11 point lead over Sobrato, 50-39, but the Bulldogs capitalized on their free throw attempts and pulled to within three points, 50-47, with 27 seconds left in the game.
Janisch shut the door on the Bulldogs by hitting four free throws down the stretch to give the ‘Balers the 54-49 win.
Sobrato has two tough road games left, against Live Oak and Gilroy next week to wrap up its inaugural varsity season.
“Motivation for Live Oak is automatic. I think we’ll have good motivation for Gilroy too,” said Crawford. “I think we’ll be a little bit looser because we have nothing to lose and a chance to get wins against two top teams.”
