GILROY — Losing was not an option for Gilroy against North Salinas.
The Mustangs let the Vikings get within five at the end of the first before busting open the game with a 17-point lead at halftime. Gilroy topped North Salinas 68-46 in front of a boisterous home crowd Wednesday in its home finale.
The team honored its seniors with a pregame celebration and they returned the favor. Three seniors scored in double digits, including the always energetic Josiah Wiley who picked up a double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds in addition to a block and a steal.
“It was a big win for us — we all wanted this win,” Wiley said. “We all just dug down deep. We just wanted this win. We all put our heads together and said ‘Alright, we got this’.”
Zach Loo led all scorers with 19 points, including a big 3-pointer for the last score of the game. The chemistry of the seniors was unmatched as they tossed passes to each other in ways that looked more like a quarterback throwing the ball down field that basketball players connecting down court.
“We played amazing as a team,” Loo said. “It was kind of weird that it (Senior Nigh) finally came and that it was our last time playing as Mustangs on our home court. I think that helped a lot of the seniors.”
Emilio Chambers, a senior guard, posted 15 points, four rebounds and a steal while Chris Chang scored nine in addition to three assists and two steals.
Emotions were high on the visitors bench and the Vikings, consequentially, found themselves in foul trouble in the second half. North Salinas committed 15 fouls in the second half and sent Gilroy to the line 27 times. Luckily for the Vikings, the Mustangs free throw shooting wasn’t its strong suit as they only made 12 from the line.
While Gilroy won’t be crowned the Monterey Bay Pacific League champs like it had aimed to be preseason, the team still has a shot to see the postseason. The Mustangs will first need to get past North Monterey County at 7 p.m. Friday in Castroville.
Both teams are battling for the final spot and the Condors’ 62-49 win over Watsonville Wednesday didn’t help the Mustangs any — in fact it just upped the ante for Friday’s regular season finale. The two teams are both 6-5 in league and it’s basically a win-and-you’re-in scenario.
But it’ll be no easy feat.
“It’s a big game for us, but I think after tonight they realize how short the time has been,” Mustangs coach Abrem Estorga said. “They don’t want it to end, but they realize that they have to come out and perform at a high level for their Senior Night — toss a coin on that one. North Monterey has been playing very well and has progressed just like we have. Their place on Senior Night is just going to be a battle. Hopefully we show up just like we did tonight.”
