Mustangs defeat Live Oak 63-29 in semifinal
Gilroy – Perhaps the competition isn’t as good as it was a week ago. And yet Gilroy is getting plenty out of the 27th annual Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament.
“We’re getting the team chemistry right,” Mustangs’ point guard Javin Charlot said. “Everyone is jelling and having fun and still being productive.”
Charlot led the charge Friday with 16 points, three steals and three assists as Gilroy downed outmanned Live Oak 63-29 to advance to the championship game.
The defending-champion Mustangs (6-4) will take on high-scoring Alvarez in the 2pm final today. The Eagles scored 24 points in the first quarter en route to a 76-43 win over Harbor. Harvey Todd had 11 of his 27 points in the first quarter. Matt Baker finished with 19 points. Alvarez (6-1) is averaging 78.1 points per game.
Live Oak (1-5) hung tough with Gilroy for the first 2 1/2 minutes. With Jeff Mounteer (12 points) knocking down a jumper and a trey, the Acorns led 7-4. But Charlot and Kameron Handy combined for the Mustangs’ next 15 points and GHS charged ahead 21-9 after one quarter.
After Mounteer scored off a drive to open the second quarter, Jason Conrad had six points and an assist during a 12-point run that put the Mustangs ahead 33-11. They maintained at least a 20-point margin the rest of the way.
“There were matchup problems all over for us,” Live Oak coach Bret Paolucci said. “We knew coming in they were taller, faster and more athletic. We just asked the guys to show composure and play hard. I thought they did that.”
Conrad had 10 points, seven rebounds and five blocks after missing the opening Hagen game because of illness. Destry Jones and Derek Jensen came off the bench to combine for 14 points, 12 rebounds and six steals.
“We made some more strides tonight,” GHS coach Bud Ogden said. “We played much better with two big men in there rather than three. We got great contributions from everyone.”
Live Oak (29)-Mounteer 12, Robinson 0, Toshizi 0, Hennings 6, Bantilan 7, Herber 2, Levy 0, Lindstrom 2, Parhad 0, Dominguez 0. Totals 13 1-2 29.
Gilroy (63)-Siha 1, Handy 8, Martinez 4, Harrell 0, Charlot 16, Jensen 6, Johnson 6, Dobson 4, Jones 8, Conrad 10. Totals 28 5-6 63.
Live Oak 9 6 9 5 – 29
Gilroy 21 18 11 13 – 63
3-point goals: LO, Mounteer 2. Gil, Charlot 2.
Prelims: The two teams who came into the tournament with the best records were the first two teams eliminated. Aptos finished fast to oust Scotts Valley 68-43, and Pajaro Valley made its free throws at the end to hold off St. Francis-Watsonville 58-54. The Falcons were 5-0 entering the tourney and the Sharks were 7-1.
JV: Justin Wheat came up big with 21 points and 10 rebounds, leading Gilroy to a 58-40 win over Harbor and into the junior varsity championship game at 2pm today against Aptos. Stephen Galtman and Kendrick Acueto had 11 points apiece for the Mustangs.
