‘Stangs Make Run to Reclaim Tournament Trophy
Eight varsity teams, eight JV teams, the 26th year of the Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament.
It all begins today.
This year, Aptos, Alvarez, Gilroy, Harbor, Live Oak, Monterey, San Benito and St. Francis of the Coast all will fight for the title of the Hagen Memorial, named after legendary Gilroy coach Bob Hagen, who died suddenly in 1977 after coaching the Mustangs for 17 seasons. During that time, Hagen turned Gilroy into a South Bay powerhouse, winning 14 league championships and four regional titles. The coach was honored as the national coach of the year in 1973, that year also being the first of two times he was named California’s coach of the year.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Live Oak head coach Brett Paolucci, whose Acorns took third last year. “We’ve been in this tournament ever since it started. It’s kind of a tradition .”
It’s been four years since home team Gilroy has hoisted the first-place trophy of the tournament, which is one of the oldest in Northern California high school basketball. But this could be the Mustangs’ year. They are the favorites, along with Aptos and it’s been four years since home team Gilroy has hoisted the first-place trophy of the tournament, which is one of the oldest in Northern California high school basketball. But this could be the Mustangs’ year. They are the favorites, along with Aptos and Harbor.
“We could have a darn good shot at this,” said Gilroy head coach Bud Ogden.
A balanced scoring attack of lefty guard Jeremy Teschera (9.9 ppg), 6-foot-8 Jason Conrad (7.5 ppg) and forward Ryan Chisolm (7.3 ppg) have given the ‘Stangs plenty of scoring options so far this season. Conrad has also been an intimidator around the basket with 44 blocks, and Chisolm (9 rpg) has had several double-digit rebounding games.
The Mustangs definitely have the advantage of the bracket. Last year’s champion Monterey, runner-up Hollister and third-place Live Oak are all on the opposite side of the bracket.
After a bad experience last year, Ogden realized he needed to give his team more of a chance on its own floor. Gilroy opened with Monterey, the best team in the tournament, and lost. The ‘Stangs took the consolation championship.
“I said, ‘If we’re going to win, we’re going to beat the best.’ So we had Monterey in first round in their up year,” Ogden said. “Sometimes I get stubborn.”
The Mustangs may be just 4-6 heading into the tournament, but their losses have come at the hands of tough competition, including Archbishop Mitty, Bellarmine and Valley Christian.
Taking care of the ball and looking for higher percentage shots will be the keys for Gilroy in the tournament..
“We need to put ball inside a little bit more,” Ogden said.
Gilroy plays in the nightcap against St. Francis Central Coast Catholic at 8pm tonight.
A Look at the Field of Competition:
Live Oak (5-3)
Wins: Fremont (Sunnyvale), Gunderson, Los Gatos, Branham (twice)
Losses: Alisal, Santa Clara, Pioneer
The well-rounded Acorns are coming off a win Tuesday over Branham, a game in which forward Micah Jones had 25 points and nine rebounds. “We’re in a tough bracket this year opening up with Aptos,” said Live Oak head coach Brett Paolucci. “(Tuesday’s game) was a really important win coming into the tournament. It’s always a very competitive tournament… I’m just hoping we come in and are competitive for four quarters.” Last year, Live Oak beat Harbor 48-39 in the third-place game.
Monterey (5-2)
Wins: San Benito, North Monterey County, Eastside College Prep, Alisal, Lionel Wilson Prep
Losses: Mount Eden (Hayward), Gilroy
Guard Michael Phillips (11.3 ppg) returns from last year’s successful team. The Toreadors won the Coach Wilson Memorial Tournament, but fell to Gilroy in the consolation championship game of the West Coast Classic last weekend. The Toreadors aren’t quite the same team they were last year, which will make repeating as champs a tough task.
San Benito (3-5)
Wins: Scotts Valley, Fremont (Sunnyvale), Homestead
Losses: Monterey, Pioneer, Monte Vista Christian, Cupertino
Last year, the ‘Balers fell 58-57 to Monterey in the championship game that went down to the wire. But now Kyle Sharp is gone and it’s a different year. The ‘Balers, led by Todd Janisch (10.7 ppg) and Daryl Baladad (8.7 ppg), will certainly be looking to avenge a season opening 2-point loss to Monterey when the two teams meet again tonight.
Harbor (3-2)
Wins: Monta Vista Christian, Santa Teresa-San Jose, North Salinas
Losses: Paso Robles, Salinas
Led by Max Sullivan (10 ppg), Craig Muirhead (9.8 ppg) and Daniel Vahradian (9.8 ppg). Both losses have come in the Pirates’ last two games at the Santa Cruz Dad’s Club Tournament.
Alvarez (0-6)
Wins: None
Losses: Watsonville, Aptos, Palma, Pacific Grove, Yerba Buena, North Salinas
Alvarez, led by Jimmy Abarcia (11.3 ppg), has yet to win a game this season. Should the Alvarez team pull off a first-round win, it could face Aptos. Bad news considering the Mariners put a 47-point beating on the Eagles Nov. 26.
St. Francis Coast Central Catholic
Wins: Pacific Collegiate, Stevenson, Downtown College Prep (San Jose)
Losses: Anzar
The Sharks, who have yet to play any large school teams this season, will have their work cut out for them in the first round against Gilroy. Conor Jacobson’s 10 ppg leads St. Francis.
Aptos (4-2)
Wins: Alvarez, Scotts Valley, Pioneer, San Lorenzo Valley
Losses: Salinas, Westmont
Aptos beat a tough Pioneer team on its way to winning its own Seascape Classic two weeks ago. Guard Justin Victory is a handful, scoring 17.3 per game. He scored 20 against SLV.
Thursday’s Schedule
San Benito vs. Monterey, 3:30pm
Aptos vs. Live Oak, 5pm
Alvarez vs. Harbor, 6:30pm
St. Francis vs. Gilroy, 8pm
