THURSDAY ROUNDUP: CHS wrestling defeats San Benito in non-league dual meet

The Christopher High wrestling team’s 2011-12 debut went off in rousing fashion Thursday night with a come-from-behind victory over San Benito in Gilroy.

The Cougars trailed 36-12 with five matches to go, but received pins in four of those final five to take a 39-36 triumph. 

– Following his team’s 3-1 loss to Live Oak in its season opener Tuesday, Ricardo Espinosa wanted to see better play from his defensive third. Talk about instant gratification.

The Christopher High boys soccer team shut out San Benito 1-0 in Hollister on Thursday.

“San Benito is a very physical team and our guys showed great composure,” Espinosa said. “The back really stepped up. Jacob Liberatore, Isaiah Delgado and Giovanni Troini did a great job defensively for us.”

David Anaya tallied in the first half, a goal that stood as the game winner.

The Cougars (1-1) begin play in the annual Homestead Cup on Saturday against Gunn High School. The game will be played at Homestead High at 1:30 p.m.

– A 55-25 victory was the result of the Christopher High girls varsity basketball team’s season opener against Sobrato in Morgan Hill on Thursday night.

Hanna Tabron paced the Cougars with a game-high 18 points, Olivia Tabron had nine, Cydney Caradonna posted eight ans Merrett Brown seven.

The Cougars’ defense held the Bulldogs to single digit scoring in all four quarters and led 30-11 at the half.

– The Christopher High boys basketball team opened the 2011-12 season at the Everett Alvarez Classic and used a strong second-half performance to defeat Gonzales 81-41 in the first round Thursday in Salinas.

“We played a really good team-basketball game. Everybody contributed,” head coach Kaden Bahner said.

The Cougars led 38-28 at halftime, but outscored Gonzales 43-13 in the second half.

Dillon Babb posted a team-high 15 points, while Nick Cordova had 14, Wyatt Rocheleau had 10 and Andrew Foster eight. AJ Ellis grabbed a game-high 11 offensive rebounds.

The Cougars resume play at the tournament tonight at 6:30 at Alvarez High. Their opponent was unknown at press time.

– First-game shooting woes didn’t help the Gilroy High basketball team in its 2011-12 debut at the Aptos Seascape Invitational on Thursday.

Head coach Matt Tait said the the Mustangs had a difficult time hitting their open looks in a 43-26 loss to Milpitas.

We were in the game the whole way, but when it came down to it, we couldn’t make the buckets,” Tait said.

The Mustangs play again today at 3:30.

– The GHS girls basketball team opened play at the Mustang Classic, on Thursday with a 59-38 win over Santa Catalina. 

The Mustangs continue play tonight at 6:30 p.m. at GHS.