Just a quick couple of random thoughts off the top this morning. I went to the Gavilan men’s basketball game Wednesday afternoon, and aside from keeping stats, I also kept tabs on the fans in the bleachers – all 50 or so of them. The game started at 3 p.m., but before that gets used as an excuse, contests that start at 7 p.m. get about the same response. And beside, I see plenty of people out and about at 3 p.m. when I make my afternoon coffee runs. So, time of day defense doesn’t cut it.
It’s too bad, really. The Rams, though the wins haven’t come yet, play some entertaining basketball and their effort is worth checking out.
I do see some of the same faces at each home game, which is cool.
Sophomore forward Jordan Ramirez can erupt for 20 points per night, and with a group of freshman and other role players determined to change the culture on the court, lending them a little extra support and encouragement from the stands only accelerates the change. They’d appreciate the affirmation, too. And, actually, so would the college’s volleyball, football, baseball, softball and soccer teams. A little local love goes a long way.
Lack of fans in the stands isn’t a new issue. Many times during the high school football season, the GHS faithful weren’t faithful at all. Plenty of open seats gave Garcia-Elder Sports Complex an empty feeling on more than one occasion. A decrease in student involvement added to the problem. The “student section” was a metal wasteland. It shocked me each week, especially after hearing stories from those who’ve been around Gilroy football for a while and their descriptions of packed houses whether or not the team had a winning record.
We are all terribly busy, but if you know someone on one of our local prep or junior college teams, take a couple hours to go watch. There is some good stuff happening on the field, the courts, the diamonds and the track around town.
• Tonight provides a perfect chance. It’s a busy Friday in Gilroy. The Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament, now in its 32nd year hosted by GHS, is in full swing. Both the Mustangs and Cougars won their opening round games and are in action again tonight – GHS at 6:30 p.m. and CHS at 8 p.m. Also on the GHS campus, a crosstown clash between the two boys soccer teams gets underway at 7 p.m. Over at CHS, the town’s girls basketball teams challenge one another in nonleague play. That game too is at 7 p.m.
• Someone left the comment on my last post about former Gilroy High wrestler Jesse Delgado (2010 graduate) who is now taking down opponents for the University of Illinois. The commentor informed me that Delgado’s Fighting Illini will face the University of Michigan on Jan. 8. Wrestling for the Wolverines is 2008 GHS grad Hunter Collins. I plan to speak with both of these talented wrestlers prior to the dual meet. Look for that in the near future. Also, if you have information on local athletes making good at the collegiate level, feel free to drop me an email at jw*****@gi************.com. I would be happy to post a quick note about their successes.
•I wanted to give a quick thank you to all the coaches I am in contact with on a daily basis. As the demands continue to increase, without their updates, keeping tabs on all that happens would be 10-times more difficult.
