Gilroy’s girls basketball team drops two games at Mustang
Classic, while the boys lose two at the 26th Annual Aptos Seascape
Classic
GILROY – The Mustang Classic started out spectacular for Gilroy High’s girls basketball team, but it ended with a lesson on what will be needed to pull out close games later in the season.
The Mustangs went 1-2 in a tournament they hosted over the weekend, beating Gunderson 61-17 in the first round on Thursday before losing in double overtime to Aptos 65-64 on Friday. The following day the Mustangs had little left in the tank, dropping a consolation game to St. Francis C.C. Catholic.
“It was awesome,” Gilroy coach Susan Shapiro said of the Aptos game. “The girls gave me their hearts.
“I have no complaints. I think they’re going to grow.”
Chelsea Hill had a monster game in the paint against Aptos, compiling 27 points, 19 rebounds and six steals. Lindsey Foster had 12 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, and guard Sovi Nou poured in 12 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists.
Against Gunderson, Foster led all scorers with 16 points. Hill and Carmen Pichardo both had eight points, and Nou followed with six. In total, Gilroy had 11 different scorers.
Shapiro said she learned a lot about her players from what she saw on the court over the course of the tournament, noting the emergence of Nou and sophomore Demornay Granados.
“They say you learn more from losses than wins and we definitely got an education this weekend,” Shapiro said.
Gilroy, now 3-3 on the season, will be back on the court Dec. 16 at Valley Christian.
VARSITY BOYS
Gilroy’s varsity boys basketball team lost a little steam and some games at the 26th Annual Aptos Seascape Classic taking place Thursday and Friday.
After starting out the season 2-0, the Mustangs dropped an opening-round game with Pioneer 57-44 before falling to rival San Benito 63-53 a day later.
“There was no sense of urgency out of us on defense,” Gilroy coach Jeremy Dirks said of the loss to Hollister, which saw Gilroy trail 42-21 at halftime.
Elijah Harrell had 22 points in the loss. Greg Hamik was second on the team with 10 points and Michael Aldridge finished with seven points and five rebounds.
Going 4-for-19 from the free throw line limited the Mustangs’ ability to come back against Pioneer a day earlier. Gilroy trailed 46-38 entering the fourth quarter.
Max Fishler led all Gilroy scorers with 14 points, and Harrell followed with 12.
“I think were going to be fine,” Dirks said, “but it’s frustrating to lose two games (against teams) that are beatable.”
Gilroy, which is now 2-2 on the season, will resume play today when it travels for a 7 p.m. contest at Carmel.
