Drawing by far the largest crowd of the season to Bob Hagen
Memorial Gym Friday night, Gilroy’s and San Benito’s varsity boys
basketball teams fed off the energy of fans to keep pace with one
another for four and a half quarters. But some costly turnovers by
Gilroy in the final minutes of overtime kept the Mustangs from
cutting into a four-point deficit, and allowed San Benito to make
some crunch-time free throws to win the contest 53-46.
Drawing by far the largest crowd of the season to Bob Hagen Memorial Gym Friday night, Gilroy’s and San Benito’s varsity boys basketball teams fed off the energy of fans to keep pace with one another for four and a half quarters.
But some costly turnovers by Gilroy in the final minutes of overtime kept the Mustangs from cutting into a four-point deficit, and allowed San Benito to make some crunch-time free throws to win the contest 53-46.
“This is what’s great about high school sports,” San Benito coach John Becerra said of the atmosphere created by the rivalry. “But during the game, it’s hard to enjoy it.”
Fans from Hollister came to Gilroy in support of the ‘Balers, helping to make the game entertaining even when players were called to the sidelines during timeouts. Chants from students were sent across the floor from both sides, referencing games already played this year as well as sports that have yet to start their seasons. Cheerleaders from each school even got into the act, taking turns doing flips to show who was more limber, and thereby serving the other.
“It was the most intense game we’ve been in this year,” San Benito forward Kevin Burley said. “It’s the best atmosphere. There’s nothing that can describe it. It was great.”
San Benito led 26-20 at halftime but the two teams entered the fourth quarter knotted up 33-all.
After trading baskets, Marty Bueno (nine points, six assists) hit a free throw for the ‘Balers to go up 39-38. Burley added two of his eight points to give San Benito a 41-38 advantage with less than a minute to play.
Gilroy’s Derek Jensen (14 points) responded by making a 10-foot leaner on the baseline while drawing a foul. He converted the three-point play to tie the game 41-all with 34.8 seconds left. An errant shot attempt at the buzzer by San Benito sent the game to overtime.
Trailing 45-44 in the extra period, Gilroy attempted to take the lead by getting something going to the basket. Instead, they turned the ball over to Brian Haggett (10 points), who went the length of the floor to make a layup while being fouled from behind by Jensen.
Officials ruled that it was an intentional foul, as Haggett had a clear path to the basket, giving the ‘Balers a free throw and possession of the ball. Haggett converted the free throw, but San Benito turned the ball over during the ensuing possession. The Mustangs, behind 48-44, had an opportunity to close the gap after the San Benito miscue, but by attempting to rush down the court, a pass was picked off. It was the last of 18 turnovers in the game by Gilroy.
Shortly afterwards, Haggett was sent to the line, this time in a one-and-one situation. Missing the front end, the ‘Balers pounced on the rebound, allowing Haggett to be fouled again. This time he sunk both free throws to give his team a six-point lead that was never cut below four.
Jensen hit another shot while being fouled with 19.7 seconds remaining, but missed the free throw to trail 50-46. The ‘Balers added one more free throw and a last-second layup by Dominic Zanella (12 points) to win 53-46.
“Our breakdowns kind of determined what happened in the end,” Gilroy forward Lorenzo Dobson said. “As far as energy we were equal. But those mistakes in the end cost us the game.”
Dobson (six points, 11 rebounds), Johnson (11 points, 14 rebounds) and Tyler Hartman (10 points, six rebounds) dominated the painted area much of the night for Gilroy, but a lack of backcourt players hurt the Mustangs’ ability to control the tempo. Gilroy’s Kendrick Azcueta went down with an injury in the second half, and was visibly limping when returning to the court. He had to be subbed out in the final minutes, leaving the Mustangs with even less options at guard after entering the game with only eight players due to injuries.
With the victory, San Benito swept the season series between the two teams and stayed in second place in the Tri-County Athletic League standings at 7-2, 17-7 overall. Gilroy is now 7-16 overall, 1-7 in the TCAL.
The Mustangs next game is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Salinas.
