Two of Gilroy’s Junior Basketball teams are heading to
nationals
Gilroy – By the time the seventh and eighth grade Division I National Junior Basketball Silicon Valley playoffs are over, only two teams – one boys’ and one girls’ – can say they are champions. This year, both of those teams are from Gilroy. And both went undefeated.
Last weekend, Gilroy NJB’s Division I Mustangs and Lady Titans both took home the sectional championships. Now both head down to Los Angeles this weekend to compete at the national NJB level.
“(On the boys’ side) there’s 63 teams, 630 kids and when you think that Gilroy won, both the girls and boys, that’s pretty darn good,” said Duane Ross, assistant coach of the Mustangs.
Division I Boys’ Championship Mustangs 68, Redwood City 39
The final score didn’t reflect it, but Gilroy and Redwood City were in a close game after three quarters, with the Mustangs leading 27-21.
In the fourth quarter, however, the Mustangs couldn’t miss. Gilroy outscored Redwood 21-5 in that period.
“Our fourth quarter was just incredible. The kids were just hitting on all cylinders,” Ross said. “It was one of best of the whole season. That’s what blew it out.”
In the fifth quarter (NJB plays five quarters), the Mustangs dropped back into a zone defense and cruised to the victory and the championship. Not to mention, a perfect 14-0 season.
Gilroy was led by the tandem of Chris Catanzaro (14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist, 1 block) and 6-foot-1 center Dominic Leach (14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks). Tyler Price (9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), power forward Michael Aldridge (7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), floor leader Nathan Seifert (6 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound) and Connor Ross (8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 5 assists) rounded out the balanced attack.
Every player on the team – including Colton twins Ryan and Zack, David Guenther and Cameron Yawary – recorded at least one assist and rebound. The Mustangs’ defense, which included varied man-to-man and zone combos, also was important in the victory.
“(Redwood City) was confused. They didn’t know what hit them,” Duane Ross said. “And out scoring was just right on.”
Duane Ross, who assists head coach Scott Aldridge, coached the fifth and sixth grade NJB team that won the section championship last year. His son, Connor Ross, Cameron Yawary and Catanzaro were a part of that team. But the rest of this year’s team was new.
Most of the players played for the Brownell Academy team that won the county championship earlier in the year except for the Colton twins (St. Mary School), Leach (St. Catherine School in Morgan Hill) and Guenther (home school).
The Mustangs won’t be playing for the NJB national championship title this weekend because the team didn’t officially qualify as an NJB All-Net team (a division of NJB), but they will be playing in a different tournament in Los Angeles for a last hurrah.
“It’s been a really, really fun season,” Duane Ross said.
Division I Girls’ Championship Lady Titans 38, West San Jose 32 (OT)
Thanks to some late-game heroics, the Lady Titans finished its six-month NJB campaign undefeated and as sectional champs.
Against West San Jose last weekend, forward Lindsay Foster and Alana Osaki scored baskets to tie the game and force overtime. In the overtime period, the two players combined for eight points to give the Lady Titans the lead and the win.
Now, the Lady Titans are off to the NJB national championships this weekend in Los Angeles.
Behind the stifling defense of “the steal master” Kristin Costa, the MVP-like scoring of Foster, the hot hand of three-point shooter Ashley Lambert, the quick decision-making of point guard Emily Loera and the heart of Osaki, Shapiro believes the team can do damage in L.A.
“Our aspirations are to win the national title down south,” Shapiro said. “We definitely have the talent.”
Foster, who Shapiro believes will get NJB MVP honors, has been team’s leading scorer. The 5-foot-9 post player scored in double figures throughout the playoffs.
The lightning-fast Costa and her defense has caused problems for teams all season.
“She’s probably one of the fastest kids in her age group,” Shapiro said. “I have never asked anything of her that she didn’t do.”
The team also has size. Eighth-grade forward Laura Steele is pushing 5-foot-11 and seventh graders Chelsea Hill and Megan Wheat stand 5-foot-10.
Emily Costa, Chelsea Girvin, Carmen Pichardo and
Elaina Vasquez have also helped the Lady Titans to their undefeated status. “They did everything I asked of them and made a commitment to the team,” said Shapiro, who before this team had coached only boys’ teams. “And I’m not easy on them.”
Shapiro said the talent of the team is something Gilroy should be proud of. Although the team represents both Morgan Hill and Gilroy, all of the girls on the squad are from the Garlic City.
“The representation of Gilroy and the future is overwhelming,” the coach said.
