Championship week in youth basketball games
GILROY – The Lady Celtics won the Girls 6-7 Grade title and the Monarchs coach earned the prestigious Mason Kunimura Youth Sports Coach of the Year honors in Gilroy Community Services Department basketball play Saturday evening at Solorsano Gymnasium.
Chelsey Urbanski made two field goals and Giardina Rahni and Jennifer Rose drained three-point field goals as the 6-1 Celtics upended the 4-3 Monarchs 16-8. Angel Senior managed six points for the Monarchs.
Ernie Alnas, the coach of the Monarchs as well as a Boys’ 8-10 Grade team, earned the fifth annual Mason Kunimura Youth Sports Coach of the Year in ceremonies prior to the playoff game. Coach Alnas was presented the award by Moose and Doris Kunimura, the parents of the former Gilroy High and Gavilan basketball star who was a long-time youth basketball enthusiast as both a coach and official.
The Fab Five finished the Girls’ 6-7 season at 5-2 with a 20-11 nod over the Liberty. Rebekah Komar hit for 11 points, Laura Spellman nine to complete the Fab scoring. Jasmine Ross meshed a 3-pointer and 2-pointer for the Liberty.
The Spurs ended the program at 3-4 after an 11-5 win over the Sparks.
Boys’ 6-7 Grade:
The Orange Crush capped a 7-1 campaign with a 28-23 decision over the Suns Saturday night at Solorsano Gym.
Shaquille Johnson collected 13 points and Lukas Fortino bagged eight markers as the Crush rebounded from a 12-9 intermission deficit. Joaquin Silva made 10 points and Justin Ward canned a 3-pointer for the Suns.
The improving Magic powered to a 4-3 mark with a 25-23 edging of the Blue Devils in post-season play. Sean Hale scored six points, Raul Quintanar and Richard Sotelo five apiece for the winners. Nick Colmon’s second hoop of the night gave the Magic the clinching points. Greg Hamik collected eight points for the Devils.
The Knicks trimmed the Rebels 24-16 to finish 3-5 for the year. Jose Almeda of the Rebels claimed game scoring honors with 11 points.
Boys’ 5 Grade:
Sean Monroe made two field goals in the final period as the Lakers outlasted the Magic 25-23 in a battle of league co-champions at Wheeler Community Center.
Monroe topped the Lakers with 10 points, while A.J. Been of the co-champion Magic ran the offfense and slashed to 11 points. Connor Ross made two consecutive free throws in the fourth period as the Lakers managed a 12-6 margin to erase a 17-13 deficit. Quick guard play by Quillan McJunkin and Jorge Sanchez kept the Magic in contention until the final second.
The Spurs tripped the Blazers 24-23 behind seveen points from A.J. Silhanek. Jordan Besson followed with six points, Nicholas Chang five for the Spurs. Gavin Menges hustled to nine points, Ronnie Short eight and Erik Brolin six for the Blazers.
Girls’ 5 Grade:
Chelsea Hill converted seven points as the Sparks completed the 9-0 season with an 11-6 victory over the Monarchs. Francesca Filice and Cassidy Daley directed the Sparks offense, with key passes by Lauren Rhodes aiding the team’s ninth win. Damornay Granado struck for five Monarch points.
The Sonix trimmed the Jazz 14-12 behind eight points from Sarah Spindel. Alexandra Rose made seven Jazz points.
