The odds were stacked against Gilroy in the second round
Saturday of the Breakers Classic.
Gilroy – The odds were stacked against Gilroy in the second round Saturday of the Breakers Classic.
Not only did the Mustangs trail Hilmar entering the fourth quarter but their two leading scorers were in serious foul trouble.
The adversity level was similar to what GHS faced in the final round of the Mustang Classic. In that game, St. Francis erased an 11-point deficit and defeated Gilroy.
This time, even after Dana Schoeneman and Vanessa Wilkins fouled out, the Mustangs found their way.
Rushelle Preeshl hit two pressure free throws with 54 seconds left and GHS erased a five-point deficit to win 41-38.
“We won the game in the last three minutes,” said coach James Wilkins, forced to mix and match with his two top scorers on the bench. “Our 2-3 zone worked well.”
Offensively, junior Angela Silveria came up with six of her 10 points. Laura Spellman hit a couple of crucial shots.
But it was the defensive work of Rowena Tabilas and Erin Magill that loomed just as large in perhaps Gilroy’s most improbable victory this season, its sixth in seven games.
“It was so gratifying to see other players step it up in a very crucial part of the game,” James Wilkins said. “Angela is gaining more confidence. The more we play, the more we see her ability and confidence coming through.
“Rowena and Little Spell did a great job chasing in the zone. And Erin was tough in the middle. We did what we needed to do to win.”
Wilkins promised the first two days of practice this week would be concentrating on offense, putting the girls in positions on the floor where they can shoot and be successful. The team still relies greatly on the offense of Schoeneman and Vanessa Wilkins, and coach Wilkins knows that will not be enough.
The good news for the Mustangs was in the win over Hilmar the top two scorers got only 32 percent of the points. The bad news was they scored only 41 points.
And yet GHS was able to turn the odds in its favor.
Hilmar (38)-Gaglio 4, Mendes 8, McFaddin 5, Avila 3, Gemperle 7, Ebarb 3, Gore 3, Stroup 3, Armendariz 2. Totals 12 12-18 38.
Gilroy (41)-Tabilas 0, McAvoy 0, Schoeneman 3, L. Spellman 7, Wilkins 10, Solorio 1, Preeshl 7, Silveria 10, Magill 3. Totals 13 13-20 41.
Hilmar 9 11 13 5 – 38
Gilroy 9 13 8 13 – 41
3-point goals: Hil, Mendes, Stroup. Gil, Wilkins 2.
