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The Hollister High School girls basketball team earned its first league win Jan. 14, handily defeating Monterey 70-39.
The Balers took advantage of multiple offensive rebounds and steals to create additional shots in the first period where they took a 14-point lead. Hollister increased their lead in each period.
“If you’re aggressive you go for the offensive rebound, you put it back in,” coach Mitch Burley said. “That’s just part of the mentality of it. Overall, I think they are bigger than us but our girls just got to the ball.”
The lead allowed Burley to spread out playing time. He said his entire roster played about half the game, which was reflected in the scorecard, with all of the players scoring at least three points. Guard Emery Sparling led the offense with 12 points. She was the only player scoring in double digits.
“It’s always a nice thing when everybody can contribute,” Burley said, “when everybody has something in the scorebook and then they feel better about ‘hey, I’m part of this team.’”
The starters accounted for 43 points. Forward Claire Gho and guard Jadah Gonzalez each contributed nine points.
Hollister High School’s girls basketball bench cheer as their teammates gain possession of the ball and score against Monterey. Photo by Jessica Parga. 
Emery Sparling (#31) breaks past a Monterey defender near the baseline on Jan. 14, 2025. Photo by Jessica Parga. 
Ava Garcia (#22) looks for open teammates as Monterey’s defense surrounds her. Photo by Jessica Parga. 
Daniela Orsetti (#10) and Elliote Sparling (#35) fight for possession of the ball during their game against Monterey on Jan. 14, 2025. Photo by Jessica Parga. 
Madelyn Davis (#21) moves down the court while playing against Monterey High School on Jan. 14, 2025. Photo by Jessica Parga. 
Senior Emery Sparling (#31) attempts a 3-point shot during the girls basketball game against Monterey High School. Photo by Jessica Parga. 
Diana Martinez-Ruiz (#11) drives down the court on Jan. 14, 2025. Photo by Jessica Parga.
Though Hollister controlled the entire game and the win was never at risk, the Balers put together their largest run in the fourth period, where they scored 13 unanswered points to take a 64-33 lead.
Defensively, the Balers began with full-court pressure that led to several Monterey turnovers.
“The whole idea is to just make them make decisions,” Burley said. “The more decisions they have to make, sometimes you turn the ball over or throw it away. We don’t necessarily have to steal it.”
Looking to the rest of the season, Burley said he sees more parity in the league compared to last year, when the Balers’ overall record was 19-6 and the team lost in the quarterfinals round of the playoffs. Burley said he hopes to take advantage of home games this season.
“Road games are hard,” he said. “We just found that out. Our first two road games we lost.”
Hollister lost to Watsonville High 43-39 on Jan. 6 and to Soledad 56-40 on Jan. 10. The Balers’ record is 7-7 overall and 1-2 in league play. They are scheduled to play Alisal from Salinas, which has an overall record of 9-4, at home on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.