A lackluster finish to the first half of Tuesday night’s game
against Santa Cruz preceded an inspired effort by Gilroy High’s
boys basketball team to begin the second half.
In between those two points, Mustangs coach Jeremy Dirks
delivered a challenged to his team.
”
What I told them at halftime,
”
Dirks said,
”
is ‘Do you want to be known as the nice guys?’
”
Apparently not.
Gilroy outhustled and outscored the visiting Cardinals 19-4 in
the third quarter to build a 43-32 advantage and eventually hold on
for a 50-46 win at Bob Hagen Gymnasium.
GILROY – A lackluster finish to the first half of Tuesday night’s game against Santa Cruz preceded an inspired effort by Gilroy High’s boys basketball team to begin the second half.
In between those two points, Mustangs coach Jeremy Dirks delivered a challenged to his team.
“What I told them at halftime,” Dirks said, “is ‘Do you want to be known as the nice guys?’ ”
Apparently not.
Gilroy outhustled and outscored the visiting Cardinals 19-4 in the third quarter to build a 43-32 advantage and eventually hold on for a 50-46 win at Bob Hagen Gymnasium.
Greg Hamik led all Gilroy scorers with 15 points, while Tyler Hartman followed with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Each had a quarter of catching fire, as Hartman poured in eight points in the first and Hamik delivered 10 in the third.
“We’re a new team so I’m just glad we’re working well together,” Hamik said after the game.
It was the second victory for the Mustangs in as many games this season. Santa Cruz, paced by Taylor Kientzel’s 17 points, dropped to 1-2 with the loss.
Gilroy was in control most of the game, but Santa Cruz did mount a comeback in the final period. Two key free throws with under a minute to play by point guard Elijah Harrell , who was forced to miss most of the second half with leg cramps, gave Gilroy a four-point cushion to hold on for the victory after being outscored 14-7 in the fourth.
Harrell finished with four points, three assists, and two steals, while fellow guards Raul Quintanar (five points) and Neil Azcueta (four points, three steals, 2 assists) both made major contributions off the bench.
“It was a good win,” Dirks said, “They challenged us the whole time and we met the challenge.”
Gilroy’s Michael Hartman was second only to his brother, Tyler, in rebounds for game with eight, Max Fishler added six points and Dolapo Opere scored three points.
The Mustangs will be back on the court Thursday when they begin play in the 26th Annual Aptos Seascape Classic.
JUNIOR VARSITY NOTE: The Mustangs were led by Cameron Yawary’s 26 points to beat Santa Cruz 58-52.
Gilroy’s Chima Ikeme and Chris Catanzaro pitched in 10 points each, with Ikeme grabbing a team-high nine rebounds.
The Mustangs are now 2-0 on the season.
FRESHMAN NOTE: Gilroy beat Santa Cruz 40-30 to improve to 2-0.
