APTOS – Down 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, the
Gilroy High boys basketball team orchestrated their highest-scoring
quarter of the game but it wasn’t enough in a 57-53 loss to St.
Francis C.C.C in the championship game of the 27th annual Aptos
Seascape Tournament on Saturday night.
APTOS – Down 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Gilroy High boys basketball team orchestrated their highest-scoring quarter of the game but it wasn’t enough in a 57-53 loss to St. Francis C.C.C in the championship game of the 27th annual Aptos Seascape Tournament on Saturday night.
The Sharks blew open a close 26-55 game in the third quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 12-3.
But a resilient GHS squad scorched the net for 25 points in the final eight minutes to make things exciting down the stretch.
“We were getting good looks, but it kinda seemed like the hoop had a lid on it,” head coach Jeremy Dirks said. “We started coming back but ran out of time.”
The Mustangs were able to tie things up at 51-51 before the Sharks who were 24-5 last season and returned all of their starters from a year ago, iced the game with free throws.
“We played hard all weekend,” Dirks said. “I’ve been coaching here for seven years and this is by far the hardest working team.”
Senior Greg Hamik hit three 3-pointers on his was to a team-high 15 points, and senior Dolapo Opere hit five shots from the field and converted 3-of-4 from the foul line for his 13 points.
A defensive gem in which the Mustangs held Aptos to single-digit scoring in each quarter gave GHS a 64-24 victory Friday night in the second round.
Opere led the Mustangs with a double-double (12 points, 14 rebounds) and seniors Greg Hamik and Michael Hartman had 12 points apiece.
The Mustangs bolted out to a 33-11 halftime lead and a 57-19 advantage by the end of the third quarter.
GHS opened the tournament with a rather easy triumph over Watsonville, outscoring the Wildcatz 69-19 over the final three quarters in a 74-27
Hamik led the way with 15 points and six assists, and Hartman pulled down a stellar 11 rebounds to go along with his nine points.
Dylan Jensen finished with 11 points and Cameron Yaraway with 10 in the win.
Hamik and Opere were named to the All-Tournament team.
The Mustangs (3-1) have played all four of their games this season on the road and will continue that trend Thursday against North Monterey County before making their home debut Friday against Seaside.
JV Boys celebrate a first-place showing
It was a triumphant weekend for the GHS boys junior varsity squad, taking home the championship at the Hollister Winter Basketball Tournament.
The Mustangs defeated host San Benito in the final, 54-51 on Saturday.
GHS was led by Ryan Valentino-Pickett, who had 18 points, and Robbie Filice’s 13 points and seven rebounds.
Dietrich Baumgartner added eight points and 11 rebounds in the win.
The Mustangs began the tournament with a decisive 74-37 victory over Seaside
They followed that up with a 61-38 win over Monte Vista Christian in the semis.
The Mustangs play North Monterey County on Thursday.
