A league championship lies two wins away for Sobrato girls basketball.
The Lady Bulldogs avenged a Jan. 21 loss to Silver Creek with a 54-44 win Thursday, pulling the two teams into for first place atop the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.
Sobrato (20-4 overall, 10-2 BVAL) is on pace to earn its third Central Coast Section playoff berth in as many years for the varsity program.
"Last night's game was huge," said Sobrato coach Rodney Tabares. "Last night's game was about tough defense and execution on offense.
"The girls have really played amazing this year. I believe all of our success this season stems from a tough offseason program and dedication throughout the season. To have ... a program that has reached the CCS playoffs in its first three seasons is phenomenal."
Melissa Cachopo tallied a game-high 14 points, Courtney Sedlak added 12 and Shealyn Kunze poured in 10 for the visiting Bulldogs, who built a 26-22 lead at the half with 12 points in the first quarter and 14 in the second. Sobrato extended its lead to 41-32 heading into the fourth period, after outscoring the Raiders 15-10 in the third.
Thursday's win marked the third in five days for the Bulldogs, who defeated Willow Glen 56-44 on Feb. 5, and Oak Grove 74-71 on Feb. 3.
Against Willow Glen, visiting Sobrato got by with dual solid efforts from Kunze and Sedlak, who both finished with 18 points. Cachopo pitched in nine.
The Bulldogs trailed 17-11 after the first quarter but pulled even (27-27) at the half after edging the Rams 16-10 in the second. Sobrato broke lose with an impressive 18-2 scoring run in the third.
"That was the difference in the game," Tabares said. "We decided to play tough defense."
Last week's win over Oak Grove featured another game-breaking performance from Kunze. The sophomore scored a game-high 33 points, with most of those coming in the final 16 minutes after Oak Grove built a 10-point lead at the half.
"It was a very intense game," Tabares said. "Shealyn Kunze was unstoppable."
The Bulldogs also were aided by Cachopo's 15 points and a strong defensive effort from junior post Michelle Bradley.
Sobrato hosts Pioneer today before finishing the regular season at Branham on Thursday. Both games are slated for 7 p.m.
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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