Gilroy
– At times Wednesday, Gilroy was too unselfish. It resulted in
needless turnovers that kept North Salinas in the game for almost 3
1/2 quarters.
Gilroy – At times Wednesday, Gilroy was too unselfish.
It resulted in needless turnovers that kept North Salinas in the game for almost 3 1/2 quarters.
But the Mustangs kept pushing the ball at the Vikings and eventually wore down the visitors in a 71-51 Tri-County Athletic League win at Bob Hagen Memorial Gym.
“We were looking to push the ball and get easy layups,” said Kameron Handy, who came within one assist of a double-double. “We were looking to share the ball. We’re working on getting good chemistry. We have the skills and athleticism. We’re looking to improve our chemistry.”
Gilroy (16-7 overall, 6-3 TCAL) did an excellent job of sharing the ball. Taking mostly high percentage shots, the Mustangs made 30 of 60 from the field. Twenty-two of the baskets were assisted. Handy, who had 15 points, had nine assists. Javin Charlot had five assists and Jason Conrad had four.
The other side, however, were the turnovers. Gilroy wasn’t bothered much by North Salinas’ pressure defense, and yet the Mustangs turned the ball over 25 times.
“Way too many turnovers,” said GHS assistant coach Jeremy Dirks. “We played to the level of the competition. They think they can get by that way. I wish they played hard from the get-go. On the other hand, we haven’t been able to practice much the last two days because of testing in the gym.”
The Mustangs got off to a 6-0 start. But two Mark Ramos treys got the Vikings (2-19, 0-9) back into the game and they led 14-12 after the first quarter. Marcos Martinez’s trey pushed North Salinas in front 17-12 before GHS responded with a 10-point run to take the lead for good. With E.J. Harrell providing a lift off the bench with six points, Gilroy led 28-23 at halftime.
When the Mustangs scored the first seven points of the third quarter, they led by 12. Two Lorenzo Dobson foul shots pushed the lead to 41-26 before the Vikings scored eight straight points. It wasn’t until a seven-point run pushed the lead to 58-42 that Gilroy was able to break the game open.
Charlot led the Mustangs with 17 points. Conrad had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Dobson also had 11 rebounds.
Ramos paced North Salinas with 14 points. Martinez and Ervin Rosario-Dawson had 12 points apiece.
Sub-varsity: Jamie Jensen’s 15 points led four Gilroy players in double figures as the Mustangs (19-6) cruised 63-43 in the junior varsity contest.
Neal Dinsmore had 10 points as the Gilroy freshmen won 56-39.
North Salinas (51)-Bandy 4, Garban 2, Ramos 14, Martinez 12, Sapp 5, Winfield 0, Moran 2, Rosario-Dawson 12, Grayson 0, Jensen 0. Totals 21 4-8 51.
Gilroy (71)-Siha 7, Handy 15, Martinez 2, Harrell 6, Dobson 4, Ford 4, Charlot 17, Jensen 2, Johnson 0, Tomasetti 1, Conrad 13. Totals 30 11-19 71.
North Salinas 14 9 13 15 – 51
Gilroy 12 16 15 28 – 71
3-point goals: NS, Ramos 2, Martinez, Sapp, Rosario-Dawson.
