As the final buzzer sounded in the second round of the Central
Coast Section Division 1 playoffs my senior year at Gilroy High, I
thought it was the end to playing with my lifelong Gilroy
teammates.
By Erik Nelson
Special to the Dispatch
As the final buzzer sounded in the second round of the Central Coast Section Division 1 playoffs my senior year at Gilroy High, I thought it was the end to playing with my lifelong Gilroy teammates.
Little did I know that I would be take a little piece of that 2002 Monterey Bay League championship team with me as Gabriel Gonzales and I have been teammates at Bethany University for two years now. We’ll be graduating this spring. As time has gone by, much has changed and yet one thing has always remained the same, our passion for “the Game.”
The Game has led us down a path that has recently come to an interesting crossroads. There is the possibility of playing overseas as Gabriel and I have been formally invited to a tour of the Netherlands and Belgium, playing five games in eight days.
This has created both confusion and anticipation. The buzzer that sounds off in February of our last game with Bethany could very well be the last buzzer; and the transition for putting a bachelor’s degree to good use. Whether it is landing a contract playing ball overseas, or hanging up the sneaks and getting acclimated to the demands of a new career, it is a transition that we are both excitedly anticipating.
To play professionally overseas would be a dream come true. But making a positive impact in our hometown of Gilroy would be just as satisfying.
Actually, I would like nothing more than to cover Gilroy sports through the Dispatch and write about the next generation of athletes that will make our small town proud as they move on to collegiate sports.
Whatever path we choose it is certain that Gabriel and I will use basketball as a tool to impact our town in a positive way.
Our annual faith-based tournament is an event that we hope to continue for years to come and in addition, this year we will also run children’s basketball camps in order to reach out to the youth of our community.
As our small town continues to grow, and our collegiate careers draw to a close, I look forward to the future because I can look back at the past with a sense of satisfaction.
Gabriel and I are grateful for all of the support that we have been given over the years.
Whether it has been GHS athletic director Jack Daley helping us facilitate our summer tournament, or former coaches and friends, Gilroy has been a place where Gabriel and I have been given support and many opportunities to experience success.
Whether our path leads us back to Gilroy right away, the game has taken us so far.
We look forward to continuing to bring our love of the game to Gilroy with the same passion that our community has given us.
