Gilroy defeats Spirits 39-35
Gilroy – There are not going to be too many times when Gilroy will overpower a team inside.
Yet that’s just what the Mustangs did Thursday to Notre Dame in their Tri-County Athletic League opener.
Gilroy got almost 80 percent of its points from its frontcourt as it defeated the Spirits 39-35 at Bob Hagen Memorial Gym.
“They’re a very good ballclub,” said Notre Dame coach Steve Ish. “We have no size. They had some bigger girls who hurt us there.”
Angela Silveria had 11 points and 11 rebounds in her second straight double-double to pace the Mustangs (9-3). Dana Schoeneman had 10 points and four steals, and Rushelle Preeshl had 10 points.
Preeshl had the biggest baskets of the game for Gilroy, which again struggled with its shooting (18-of-54). The 5-10 senior twice provided the Mustangs with six-point advantages in the fourth quarter, scoring first off an assist from Schoeneman, and later following up a missed shot. Preeshl was 5-of-5 from the field.
“That’s the sign of a leader,” said GHS coach James Wilkins of Preeshl. “Rushie took it on her own to want the ball. She got the ball inside and strongly went up with it.”
Notre Dame (8-7) started strongly. With Prescilla Apilado hitting two treys, the Spirits forged a 15-12 lead.
But GHS followed with perhaps its best eight minutes of basketball. Moving defenders outside to protect against the long-range shooting, the Mustangs took Notre Dame out of its game. In fact, the Spirits only got seven shots in the second quarter, as Gilroy took a 24-18 halftime lead.
The Mustangs, who had played virtually mistake-free basketball in the first half, turned the ball over three times in the first three minutes as Notre Dame got six straight points to tie the game. It was still even at 28 before Amanda Spellman scored off an offensive rebound and GHS scored the final six points of the period for a 34-28 lead.
“I thought we defended well after the first quarter,” said Spellman, seeing her first action since injuring her ankle in the Mustang Classic. “Knowing their 3-point shooters helped. We worked together as a team. We’re starting to trust each other.”
Sub-varsity: Notre Dame went 4-for-4 at the foul line in the final minute to hold off Gilroy 31-27 in the junior varsity game. The Mustang freshmen were easy winners, beating the Spirits 41-22.
Notre Dame (35)-Mendala 4, Dizon 4, Godoy 9, Apilado 6, Garcia 6, Blatter 3, Miguel 3, Mast 0. Totals 13 6-16 35.
Gilroy (39)-Tabilas 0, Schoeneman 10, A. Spellman 2, L. Spellman 2, Wilkins 4, Preeshl 10, Silveria 11, Magill 0, Nou 0. Totals 18 3-6 39.
Notre Dame 15 3 10 7 – 35
Gilroy 12 12 10 5 – 39
3-point goals: ND, Apilado 2, Miguel.
