Preview and schedule for the 20th annual Mustang Classic
For 20 years now, the Mustang Classic has treated girls’ basketball players like queens with a dose of hospitality that also extends to the fans and coaches.
So while the tournament, which begins again this afternoon, is always well-received, it’s also not exactly a stress pill for Kari Williams, Gilroy High head coach / tourney director / disaster averter.
“The tournament is always a lot of fun,” said Williams, “and the other coaches are always so thankful and say what a great event it was.
“But man, there’s a whole lot of work that goes into it. I couldn’t do it without some of the parents and other volunteers.”
And so it begins over on the campus of Gilroy High. Three days, two gyms, 22 games. Eight varsity teams and eight junior varsity teams.
Said Williams: “It gets a little crazy.”
It gets crazy for both Williams and her players, who volunteer just about all their time when they’re not playing on the court.
And just when will they be playing on the court? That depends.
The varsity Mustangs (1-0) will begin the tournament with a game against Gunderson High tonight at 8. If they win, they’ll play at 8pm on Friday against either North County or Watsonville.
If they lose, Friday’s game time will be 5pm. The consolation games and title tilt will take place Saturday.
Gilroy is looking to win its first Mustang Classic since Williams took over in 2002. After making it to the championship game her first season, GHS struggled a bit last year.
Down to about eight players due to a rash of injuries, the Mustangs lost to North County, beat Gunderson and dropped the fifth-place game to Soledad.
“This team is different, though,” Williams said of her current squad. “They come to the gym with purpose, and I like that.
“We definitely want to win our own tournament this year.”
The Mustangs won’t have to deal with defending champion Valley Christian, but six of the eight teams from last year’s tournament return, including runner-up Monterey and third-place finisher Aptos.
A full pass for the entire tournament, which is the season’s primary fundraiser for the girls’ basketball team, is available for $10. Tickets bought on a day-by-day basis are $4.
Tournament schedule
Varsity
Thursday
Game 1: Aptos vs. Notre Dame (San Jose), 3:30pm
Game 2: Silver Creek vs. Monterey, 5pm
Game 3: N. Monterey Co. vs. Watsonville, 6:30pm
Game 4: Gilroy vs. Gunderson, 8pm
Friday
Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3:30pm
Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 5pm
Game 7: Game 1 winnner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30pm
Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8pm
Saturday
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 10am
Game 10: Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 11:30am
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1:30pm
Junior Varsity
Thursday
Game 1: Notre Dame (Salinas) vs. Monterey, 3:30pm
Game 2: Aptos vs. Silver Creek, 5pm
Game 3: Watsonville vs. Gunderson, 6:30pm
Game 4: Gilroy vs. N. Monterey Co., 8pm
Friday-Saturday
(Same times and matchups as varsity schedule)
