SAN JUAN BAUTISTA — With a double-digit lead at halftime, Gilroy coach Mitchell Pierce decided to call off the dogs. The thing was, however, that his bench was just as fercious as his starters.
Senior Alyssa Avila came off the bench early in the third quarter and racked up nine points and a rebound for Gilroy, helping her team to a 46-13 win over Anzar for the team’s second straight win.
“I was just really happy to have a lot of playing time this game,” Avila said. “I just wanted to have fun and do what I’ve learned in practice so far.”
Almost five minutes went by in the final quarter without a score. Avila finally broke the scoreless fourth with a layup to increase Gilroy’s lead to 39-13.
“Alyssa was working hard, she’s been working hard all year,” Mustangs coach Mitchell Pierce said. “She’s been there through the summer and the fall. She’s done a nice job for us and it’s nice to see her get in rhythm and score some points.”
The game started almost the same way it ended, with no points being scored until almost four minutes had ticketed away. Leilani Mah’s freethrow put the first score on board, starting a nine-point run for the Mustangs.
Mah had nine points and six rebounds for Gilroy and went 1 for 3 from the line.
Lynette Weckerle scored all but one of the Hawks’ points in the game, including back-to-back shots in the first quarter that got Anzar within nine at 15-6. Weckerle was near perfect in free throws in the game, missing her last two to go 6 for 8 in the game.
“She’s a really good ball player,” Hawks coach Tracy Carpenter said. “She works hard, she goes hard — I expect that out of her. Everything I expect out her, she gives. We’ve got a good group of kids so we’re going to be alright.”
Mariah Duenas had a point and four rebounds for Anzar, while Kris Powell added five rebounds.
The Hawks will be back in action at 7 p.m. Tuesday when they host San Lorenzo Valley.
Gilroy will play host to Yerba Buena at 7 p.m. Thursday as its preseason schedule continues.
“They worked hard and it was nice to see our bench get out there and work hard as well,” Pierce said. “Overall we had a good game and had fun.”
