The Gilroy girls basketball team didn’t get a lot of time to
prepare for its season opener against Mt. Pleasant Tuesday. Just
one practice with the full roster on Monday, in fact.
The Gilroy girls basketball team didn’t get a lot of time to prepare for its season opener against Mt. Pleasant Tuesday. Just one practice with the full roster on Monday, in fact.
And while that meant playing a more basic form version of Gilroy basketball, it didn’t hurt the ‘Stangs in the end as they prevailed 54-48 in San Jose.
“We didn’t (have a lot of practice time before the game) and you could definitely tell. We played man defense the entire game except for a couple plays,” said Gilroy head coach Kari Williams. “I was glad we got through with a win.”
The Mustangs were led by forward Katherine Hussey, whose double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds showed no ill-effects of an ankle injury that ended her volleyball season. The senior was 6-of-11 from the floor.
“She was definitely on fire,” Williams said. “From 15 feet, she was deadly.”
Despite the close score, Williams said she felt the Mustangs had control throughout the game. However, Mt. Pleasant made things interesting in the fourth quarter when the Cardinals cut Gilroy’s lead to 55-54.
“I started to get nervous. We needed a spark,” Williams said.
Gilroy overcame foul trouble, which claimed forward Jessica Groppe and guard/forward Vanessa Wilkins in the fourth quarter, and were able to hold Mt. Pleasant and create some breathing room. Gilroy was whistled for 24 fouls while Mt. Pleasant was called for 16.
Williams didn’t make excuses for her team, but rather admitted it’s just part of playing an away game in San Jose.
“When you play away, you’ve got to be at least 10 points better (than the home team) to just barely win,” she said.
In the final seconds, guard Marissa Nowakowski made a free throw to put Gilroy up by four. At the other end of the floor, the Mustangs prevented the Cardinals from getting a shot off in their last possession.
“We were rough in spots but overall I was happy with their desire to win,” Williams said. “They worked hard to stay on top.”
Point guard Kristen Campos, whom Williams credited with holding the team together, played the entire game and scored 10 points and dished out five assists. Forward Dana Schoeneman, who left the game after hurting her ankle in the third quarter, added eight points and six rebounds. Wilkins (6 points, 10 rebounds), Groppe (4 points, 4 rebounds), Nowakowski (3 points, 4 rebounds) and Russhelle Preeshl (3 points, 5 rebounds) also contributed.
Gilroy won’t be back in action until the Mustang Classic on Dec. 1. The varsity will play St. Francis of Watsonville at 8pm in the main gym while the JV squad will face North Monterey County before that at 5pm in the small gym.
Gilroy Freshman Take Second
The Gilroy freshman team took second in the All-Rookie Tournament in Seaside last week.
The Mustangs soundly defeated Alvarez 42-13 and Aptos 47-17 to reach the championship game. Gilroy fell in the title game to Seaside 57-29.
Jennifer Rose, who was later named to the All-Tourney team along with Kristy Pineda, had 11 points and 12 rebounds against Alvarez. Kristen Vonderworth added nine points and six rebounds.
Against Aptos, Rose came up big again in the win with another double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds. Pineda played aggressive defense, racking up eight steals and eight points. Samira Jabr added 10 points.
“I was pleased with the teamwork and hustle, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” said freshman head coach Melissa Noto.
Attention JV/Freshman Team Coaches
If you would like your game scores printed in the paper, please call or send in your stats and results after the game. The Dispatch sports department can be reached by e-mail (sp****@************ch.com), phone (842-1694) or fax (842-2206).
