Rams remain within striking distance of De Anza, but fall
75-63
GILROY – The Gavilan Rams sent in their Christmas list. Santa checked it twice. And yes, they have been very good, but Santa keeps landing on the roof and not going down the chimney.
“That has been the story for us for six or seven games this year,” said Gavilan head basketball coach Chris Shoemaker said. “We have been playing hard and competing. We just haven’t done the things needed to win.”
Gavilan (2-11) was defeated 75-63 by visiting De Anza Tuesday night. The Rams never held a lead in the game but were always right within striking distance.
The Rams weren’t able to get into their offense for the first ten minutes of the game. Jon Morrison, who led the Rams with 15 points was able to work himself to the free-throw line a couple times in the first couple minutes.
De Anza (3-7) took leads of 5-1 and 8-3 in the first five minutes of the game. Jesus Estrada, who scored all eight of his points in the first half, dropped in a nice little one-handed sky hook.
And San Benito grad Tommy Songroth hit a three to pull the Rams with 13-11 with 12:30 left in the first quarter. The Rams tied the game at 13. Estrada took a charge to set up a basket by Mike Fugate, who used his body to get separation then hit the turnaround jumper.
The Rams were held scoreless for about three minutes as turnovers started to mount.
De Anza built up a 27-15 advantage before Gilroy High alum Erik Nelson found Estrada on a bounce pass. Shortly after, Nelson hit Morrison cutting in from the left side. Morrison was fouled and made both of his shots.
“We play with a lot of energy and intensity and feed off each other,” Nelson said. “We just got to stay positive and hope for the best. We just got to believe in ourselves and keep trucking.”
The Rams were forced to call timeout down 32-19 with 5:36 left in the first quarter after Prince Benitez drained his second three-pointer of the game. Benitez, who had 18 points, went on to hit three more treys in the second half. Anthony Guzman, who had 22 points for the Dons, also had three three-pointers in the game.
If that wasn’t bad enough, 6-5 John Schrader was hitting in the post, consistently making moves both inside and out. He led all scoring with 24 points.
“We kept clawing back,” Shoemaker said. “But whenever we would get within two or three points, they would make a big shot. We allowed them to jump out to a little lead because they were able to play their style of game.”
Morrison got things going for the Rams with a dunk two minutes before halftime.
“Whenever you are able to dunk, it always pumps the team us and helps them play with more energy,” Morrison said. “We just weren’t able to overcome the first ten minutes.”
With 17 seconds left in the first half, Nelson had a steal and was fouled on the other end. Morrion grabbed the rebound off the free throw miss and move the team within six points
The Rams got within four to start the second quarter but soon fell behind by ten points. Gavilan moved within 53-51 with 10 minutes left, but that was the closest the Rams could get as the Dons immediately answered.
Tim Goode and Lionel Smith sat out in the first half for being late to practice, but were able to contribute with their intensity and hustle during the second half.
“That changed the game for five minutes, but then we figured it out,” said Don coach Mike Riley who coached Shoemaker when he was at De Anza. “I don’t that is what cost them the game. A lot of young coaches wouldn’t do that. But that is what makes him a good coach.”
The Dons started getting a couple easy buckets in transition off turnovers.
But the Rams were able to put some pressure on in the second half to create some turnovers of their own.
“Our trap was pretty effective on a couple occasions,” Shoemaker said. “It is not something we can do for 40 minutes though. It gets to a point where can’t keep overcoming the runs that the other team makes. That is why it is important for us to get off to a good start.”
“We just need to practice with more intensity,” Songroth said. “We went with a new offense against their zone. We transitioned well and got some good baskets after the first ten minutes.”
De Anza went 30 for 49 shooting from the floor.
“If we would have made our free throws, it would have been a 20-point game,” Riley said. “Gavilan played a good game, and they hit the offensive boards really hard.”
The Rams have a lot of individuals who can make things happen. But the team has to play a little more controlled, Shoemaker said.
“We do have some guys that can make some plays,” Shoemaker said. “We just haven’t gotten to the point were we can string some of those together. Even the best teams we play, we are playing them even 25 or 28 minutes. But each team is able to make a little spurt on us.”
Gavilan has three more tough preseason games left. The Rams play at Mendocino five hours away and then at Foothill, who recently beat conference rival Hartnell.
The Rams return home on Jan. 10 to face Ohlone before opening up conference play with visiting Hartnell.
“One thing we have going for us is that our kids play hard so we continually give ourselves the chance to win,” Shoemaker said.
“There is no doubt in my mind that they are going to pull off the biggest upset in the Coast Conference,” Riley said.
