Gilroy
– The 32 minutes of intensity that had been conspicuously absent
for Gilroy during the season suddenly appeared on Senior Night at
Bob Hagen Memorial Gym.
Gilroy – The 32 minutes of intensity that had been conspicuously absent for Gilroy during the season suddenly appeared on Senior Night at Bob Hagen Memorial Gym.
The Mustangs jumped on Alisal early and never let the Trojans in the game Friday in an easy 75-27 romp in th Tri-County Athletic League finale.
Gilroy (19-7 overall, 9-3 TCAL), on a five-game win streak, now awaits the Central Coast Section seeding meeting Sunday to find out who its first opponent is. The likely scenario for the Mustangs is a home playoff game Wednesday.
“I think we’re peaking,” GHS coach Bud Ogden said. “We went into this game with a real serious attitude. We’re getting better every game.”
One reason for the dramatic improvement is how Spencer Ford has elevated his game at just the right time. The 6-11 senior turned in his third straight double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“He could be the key,” Ogden said. “Our size has not been as effective as it could have been all season. Both Spencer and Lorenzo (Dobson) continue to improve every game. Along with Jason (Conrad), that’s a formidable group.”
Ogden started five seniors Friday. Normal bench players Frankie Tomasetti (nine points) and Michael Martinez (five assists) were a big part of the fast start. Every Mustang scored in the one-sided contest.
“We all have confidence in each other,” Ford said. “I love playing with these guys. We’re a family on and off the court. It took us a while to find our chemistry. Right now we’re bringing it.”
Leading scorer Kameron Handy had 10 of his 18 points in the first quarter as Gilroy raced to a 22-7 lead. Alisal (19-10, 5-7) never got closer than 15 the rest of the game. The Mustangs maintained their defensive intensity throughout the game. They shot 32 of 62 and turned the ball over just five times through the first three quarters. Javin Charlot had 11 points.
“Chemistry is the key,” said Handy. “It took us a lot of time to jell. We’re ready for the playoffs.”
“This is just the start of things,” added Ford.
JV: Gilroy routed Alisal 62-30 in the junior varsity game with Ryan Costa scoring 17 points and Jordan Cania adding 13. The Mustangs completed a 20-8 season.
Alisal (27)-Rabanal 0, Melena 1, Woo 3, Rivera 5, Lapitan 3, Camacho 3, Mucha 2, Ramirez 4, Sosa 6, Mose 0. Totals 10 4-10 27.
Gilroy (75)-Siha 2, Handy 18, Martinez 4, Harrell 2, Charlot 11, Jensen 4, Ford 13, Johnson 2, Dobson 2, Tomasetti 9, Conrad 8. Totals 32 9-17 75.
Alisal 7 9 6 5 – 27
Gilroy 22 16 18 19 – 75
3-point goals: AL, Woo, Rivera, Lapitan. GIL, Charlot, Ford.
