SALINAS – The Mustangs held off a pesky Alvarez squad enroute to
a much-needed victory Friday night.
SALINAS – Despite a 71-63 victory over Tri-County Athletic League opponent Everett Alvarez on Friday night for the team’s 16th win of the year, Gilroy High senior Michael Hartman was quick to point out after the game that the Mustangs gave up over 60 points.
Though he thought the point total was the most the team had allowed all season – in actuality, GHS gave up 63 in a loss to Harbor back in December – the crux of the statement remained simple and succinct.
“We definitely have to play better defense,” said the 6-foot-5 center, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards on the night.
The Mustangs battled a variety of ebbs and flows in a must-have game, avoiding their first losing streak of the season.
After its blistering 5-0 start to TCAL play, Gilroy’s 2-2 mark over its last four games could be considered a mid-season slump, yet the Mustangs remain in second place (16-5, 7-2) behind Palma and ahead of San Benito, who will host GHS on Wednesday.
“We don’t look as crisp,” head coach Jeremy Dirks said. “It’s the second-half of league and teams usually know you and adjust to what you do. Any time you can pull out a win on the road in the TCAL, it’s a good win.”
Friday’s victory was a team-effort in a grind-it-out basketball game. Each guy contributed, whether it was an Andrel Gaines steal or a Michael Aldridge hustle play off of a missed basket, resulting in another offensive possession. The Mustangs only trailed for less than a minute early in the first quarter, but had to fend off the Eagles on a number of occasions, leading by just three, 33-30, at the break.
Senior Jordan Gomez brought the Eagles to within five points deep into the third quarter, drilling two consecutive long-distance 3-pointers and converting another bucket to make it 49-44. Gomez led all scorers with 25 points.
“I thought we came out flat tonight,” Hartman said. “We didn’t protect the basketball.”
The Mustangs spent a considerable amount of time at the free throw line in the second half, turning down jump shots and instead utilizing quick, slicing drives to the hoop.
The game plan paid off. Greg Hamik went 10 of 13 from the line in the second half, in all, scoring 12 of his team-high 24 points from the stripe.
As a team, the Mustangs converted 31 of 44 free throws.
Senior Dolapo Opere exercised his right to the ball, ripping down a season-high 21 rebounds to go along with nine points. Max Fishler and Dylan Jensen provided the Mustangs with a much-needed spark in the second quarter, producing six and three points, respectively. Gaines had nine points and Aldridge six.
San Benito beat North Salinas on Friday 74-54 and Palma remained undefeated with a narrow triumph over Salinas, 38-32.
