Almaden Resident

Sports

Pioneer, Leland win two of three

By Dick Sparrer

What started out as a tough week for Pioneer turned into a winner as the Mustangs cruised to wins over Sobrato and Westmont in action in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

The Mustangs, who lost a 53-51 heartbreaker to Piedmont Hills to open the week, edged Westmont 57-53 before whipping Sobrato 72-61 to improve to 3-4 in the division and to 12-9 for the year.

Pioneer will try to maintain its winning ways this week. The Mustangs, who were to visit Santa Teresa on Tuesday, will head to Oak Grove on Jan. 31, 7 p.m., before returning home to face Leigh on Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.

The Mustangs fell behind Sobrato 24-18 in the first period but outscored the Bulldogs in each of the last three quarters to cruise to the win.

Nick Maggipinto lit things up for 19 points in the win. The 5-foot-10 senior guard pitched in three three-pointers among his five field goals and added six points at the free-throw line.

Mike Beltramo was close behind with 18 points, including a pair of threes, and Terrance Duncan supported with 11 points, five of them at the line.

Su Grewal hit seven points, including a three, Will Houston had six, Shawn Bundlie and Jason Berticevich each popped a three, Christian Ceaser added three points and Nick Sarabia had two.

Maggipinto had a couple of threes among his 16 points and Duncan went for 16 in the win over Westmont. Beltramo and Bundlie finished with 11 points apiece, and each one hit a three. Berticevich had two points and Houston added one.

Over at the Leland, the Chargers also beat Sobrato and knocked off Santa Teresa, but lost to Westmont. Leland is now 3-4 in Mt. Hamilton play and 10-9 overall. The Chargers, who were to face first-place Oak Grove on Tuesday, will hit the road to face Leigh on Jan. 31, 7 p.m., and Piedmont Hills on Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Drew Marino tossed in 18 points, including three threes and nine points at the line, to lead the Chargers to the 42-40 win over Sobrato. Gregg Hipwell led Leland on the boards with 11 rebounds and tossed in six points. He also led the club with two assists.

Leland pulled out a 37-35 win over Santa Teresa behind 13-point, seven-rebound effort by Tyson.

D. Marino chipped in with nine points, including a couple of threes, and Hipwell had seven points, 11 rebounds and two assists. T. Marino added four points, including a three, and led the club with three steals. Mackey and Bejan added two points and four rebounds each, and Selness grabbed six boards.

Leland opened the week with a 54-49 loss to Westmont, despite getting 12 points by Tyson, including a pair of threes, and 10 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and two assists from Hipwell, who also had a three. Bejan had eight points and five boards, Hall eight points, D. Marino seven and Mackey four points and 10 rebounds. Selness added six boards.