Vanessa Wilkins Comes Off the Bench to Help ‘Stangs Survive
Early Scare
Gilroy – Nursing a sore back before the game, Gilroy sophomore standout Vanessa Wilkins wasn’t really even supposed to play against Live Oak Wednesday night.
But halfway through the third quarter, Live Oak went ahead 34-33 for its first lead of the game on a rare 4-point play. And with post players Dana Schoeneman and Jessica Groppe in foul trouble and back-up forward Russhelle Preeshl in street clothes on the bench, Gilroy head coach Kari Williams had no choice.
“I only had eight girls and foul trouble got us to that place where I had to bring her in,” Williams said.
Injury or not, Wilkins was her usual floor-diving self, coming up with key steals, rebounds and points that breathed new life into the Mustangs.
They regained the lead and didn’t look back, eventually winning 62-49 to improve to 2-0 in Tri-County Athletic League play. After Wednesday night’s games, the Mustangs now own sole possession of first place as the only unbeaten team in the league.
“I just wanted to prove that even being hurt, I can still excel and play my game,” Wilkins said.
The other motivating factor? Her older brother Dominik’s performance in the Gilroy/Live Oak boys basketball game the night before. In front of a raucous crowd, he made two free throws with two-tenths of a second left to put the game – which Gilroy eventually won – into overtime.
“Especially seeing my brother’s confidence in his shot, I think that helped my game when I came out here,” Vanessa Wilkins said. “He’s a big inspiration to me.”
Schoeneman, who was a huge presence around the basket all game, had a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. Groppe (13 points, 4 rebounds) and Katherine Hussey (11 points, 4 rebounds) also made big contributions for the ‘Stangs.
Wilkins, who left in the fourth quarter when her back started acting up, finished with six points, four rebounds and two steals.
Gilroy led by as much as 14 in the second quarter. But the solid-shooting Lady Acorns took advantage of several trips to the free throw line and scored seven unanswered points – all free throws – in the final 2:30 of the first half to get within 29-23 going into the locker room. Live Oak kept the momentum in the third quarter, eventually taking the 34-33 lead.
“We were playing very poor defense and not keeping up with our man,” said Williams, who was unhappy with the amount of fouls her team committed. “Half their points were from the line.”
In fact, 23 of Live Oak’s 49 points were from free throws. The Lady Acorns had 31 attempts from the stripe.
Just after Wilkins checked in in the third quarter, Gilroy senior guard Kristen Campos (8 points, 6 assists) hit a baseline three. Wilkins stole the ball on the Lady Acorns’ next possession and Gilroy senior Marissa Nowakowski (7 rebounds) knocked down a baseline jumper at the other end. After Live Oak’s Colleen Henningsen scored on a lay-up, Wilkins returned the favor, driving the right side for a basket to give Gilroy a 40-36 cushion. An unanswered Schoeneman lay-up and three-pointer from Campos put Gilroy up 45-36 with seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Mustangs continued to cruise and expand the lead in the fourth.
Although Williams wasn’t satisfied with her team’s play, she was happy to get bragging rights over rival Live Oak, which moves to the Blossom Valley Athletic League next year.
“We definitely didn’t want to lose the last time we host them in league competition,” she said.
Gilroy 62, Live Oak 49
Live Oak 9 14 15 11 -49
Gilroy 17 12 16 17 -62
Gilroy (13-3, 2-0), Live Oak (7-8, 1-1)
Freshman Girls Win Two
The Gilroy freshman girls basketball team opened TCAL play with a 45-23 win over Hollister Friday. Jennifer Rose led the Mustangs with 12 points while Laura Spellman and Kelsey Ramirez added 10 apiece. The tenacious defense of Kristen Vonderwerth and Tianna Jones kept the ‘Balers at bay.
The team turned around on Saturday to beat Alisal 51-28. In an all-around team effort, Rebekah Komar had nine points, Spellman had eight and Kristy Pineda, Jennifer Rose and Samira Jabr each contributed seven points. Jasmine Ross went 3-for-3 from the free throw line and finished with five points.
The freshmen are back in action Friday at home against Alvarez and on Saturday at Aptos.
