Lady hoopsters drop two straight games to Washington,
Watsonville
GILROY – One day after failing to sink the game-tying shot in Friday’s heartbreaking 54-52 non-league loss to Watsonville, the Gilroy High girls basketball team faltered once again Saturday to Washington-San Jose, 57-44.
The Lady Mustangs (11-6 in non-league) were hindered by poor free throw shooting in Friday’s defeat to Watsonville – shooting 15-of-22 from the charity stripe.
While Laura Hennessee led the way in the scoring column, sophomores Shante Mancera and Michelle DiFiore as well as junior center Sarah Hoeft all finished with nine points. In addition, senior forward Jenn Olvera netted eight points.
Gilroy found itself in another tight game Saturday against Washington. This time, however, the Lady Mustangs maintained a 43-40 lead with three minutes left. But Gilroy scored only one more point with both Hennessee (11 points) and Hoeft (14 points) fouling out.
Meanwhile, Washington forced fouls against the Lady Mustang press – resulting in 14 fourth-quarter free throws and the lopsided final result.
“The game was a lot closer than the 13-point spread,” head coach Kari Williams said. “Those were a couple of tough losses… We’re still on track for a really good season.”
The Lady Mustangs have a break in action before their Jan. 16 league opener against Salinas at 7 p.m.