Gilroy High basketball pulled off its first major upset of the
year Tuesday night in Salinas, handing the Palma Chieftains a 48-42
loss.
The defeat was a first for the Chieftains (11-7) in six
Tri-County Athletic League games this season, while Gilroy improved
to 12-8 overall and third in the TCAL at 3-3.
SALINAS – Gilroy High basketball pulled off its first major upset of the year Tuesday night in Salinas, handing the Palma Chieftains a 48-42 loss.
The defeat was a first for the Chieftains (11-7) in six Tri-County Athletic League games this season, while Gilroy improved to 12-8 overall and third in the TCAL at 3-3.
“We just played unbelievable man-to-man defense. We played our butts off,” Gilroy coach Jeremy Dirks said. “I told these guys if we work hard good things would happen, and they did.”
Down nine points early in the third period, Gilroy rallied to tie the game 26-all with 5:10 remaining in the quarter. Both teams traded baskets until late in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 42-all with 1:30 to go.
The Chieftains turned the ball over 13 seconds later to set up two Dolapo Opere free throws to give the Mustangs a 44-42 lead.
Gilroy’s Greg Hamik added two more free throws 21 seconds later, and a missed shot on Palma’s next possession allowed Gilroy to add two more points on a game-sealing layup by Elijah Harrell.
Opere led Gilroy with 11 rebounds to go with six points, while Tyler Hartman stepped up big in the final period, scoring eight of his team-high 12 points.
Hamik and Michael Aldridge both scored nine points, and Harrell had six, Jamie Jensen had four and Neil Azcueta had two.
Aldridge and Jensen both started the game, as Dirks was looking for a quick lineup to combat Palma’s strong guard play.
“Palma’s tallest guy is 6-(foot)-2, so we needed to be able to move our feet,” Dirks said.
With six contests remaining, and Gilroy standing just two games behind Palma in league, the Mustangs still have a chance at a TCAL title.
“We’re definitely in the hunt,” Dirks said. “If we can beat Palma, we can beat anybody.”
Gilroy will be back at home Thursday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Alisal.
