St. Francis rallies in final quarter to defeat Gilroy 43-34 for
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Gilroy – The defensive shoes were on the other feet Saturday in the final of the 22nd Mustang Classic at Bob Hagen Memorial Gymnasium.
They were worn by St. Francis. After its 1-3-1 defense was torched in the first quarter by Gilroy, coach Bob Winters switched to a man-to-man.
It was the difference the Sharks needed and the difference in the game. After being held in check by the Mustangs, St. Francis exploded for 23 points in the final 9:07 to come from behind for a 43-34 win and the Mustang Classic championship.
“We had good luck with our 1-3-1 in the previous game,” Winters said. “The girls did an excellent job when we switched to the man-to-man.”
It was a different story from a year ago when these teams met in the opening round of the tournament. In that game, St. Francis was in control until being outscored 13-4 in the fourth quarter of a 49-45 Gilroy win. The Mustangs went on to claim their first title in six years.
GHS first-year head coach James Wilkins wasn’t all that upset with the loss. He felt it would allow the Mustangs to see where their weaknesses are and help them in the long run.
The weaknesses start on the offensive side of the ball. Gilroy (3-1) used defense as the springboard to the title game and was able to overcome its offensive deficiencies. The Mustangs were unable to do so against a Sharks’ team with multiple weapons.
While Vanessa Wilkins took tournament Most Valuable Player Jasmine Olivares out of the game offensively, her teammates picked up the junior guard. Annette Ruvacalba scored 10 of her game-high 14 points in the final nine minutes. Erin Laverone hit the two field goals that allowed St. Francis (4-1) to assume control of the game. And 6-2 sophomore Katherine Brown, slowly rounding into shape after volleyball, was a force in the middle with nine points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Wilkins was the only GHS player in double figures with 12 points. Like almost every other Mustang, however, she struggled with her shooting. GHS, which made 9-of-22 in the first half, shot 4-of-25 after halftime.
“I thought our first half was superb,” James Wilkins said. “In the second half, we got too defensive. We didn’t look enough for our offense. We have to learn to work both sides. This was a learning experience for our girls.”
It started so promising for the Mustangs. Vanessa Wilkins had eight points and Laura Spellman had three assists during a 13-4 first quarter. GHS stretched its lead to 11 on two occasions in the second quarter.
The Mustangs led until Brown broke a 28-28 tie with 6:09 remaining in the game by making one free throw. Laverone hit two baskets and GHS never got closer than four.
“She’s a senior who’s had two tough injury-filled seasons,” Winters said of Laverone, who had 10 points. “This year she is injury-free and her leadership is starting to come through.”
And the Sharks were able to come through even when they had to change up defensively.
St. Francis (43) – Ryan 0, Ruvacalba 14, Oliveres 2, Brown 9, Laverone 10, Welsh 4, Siefke 2, Smith 2, Gonzalez 0. Totals 17 9-15 43.
Gilroy (34) – Tabilas 0, McAvoy 4, Schoeneman 7, L. Spellman 0, Wilkins 12, Solorio 3, Preeshl 5, Silveria 3. Totals 13 4-11 34.
3-point goals: Gilroy-Wilkins 2, Solorio, Schoeneman.
