The Gilroy High boys basketball team scrapped its way into overtime after Christian Goldstein hit a 3-pointer as time ran out in regulation, however Damonte Ranch scored seven points – all from the free throw line – in the extra session to top the Mustangs 44-40 in the first round of the Sobrato Bulldog Chase Tournament on Tuesday night in Morgan Hill.
The Mustangs forced 25 turnovers, holding the Warriors to 38 shots. And that defensive tenacity, which produced plenty of opportunities on the offensive end, kept them in the ball game despite struggling shooting the ball all night. GHS converted just 15-of-70 from the floor, including 4-of-34 from beyond the arc.
Goldstein’s 3-pointer came after he had missed his last eight shots, but the make put the finishing touches on a Mustangs’ 8-1 run over the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to force the four-minute overtime period.
Gilroy began the fourth quarter down 30-24, and trailed by as many as nine in the period. Three points from Greg Spellman, five from Niko Fortino and a bucket by Stefan Mercer was enough offense to give the Mustangs a chance at the end.
Behind 37-34, with possession and five seconds on the clock, Fortino’s game-tying attempt went wide. Goldstein, though, had positioned himself under the hoop and grabbed the rebound, backed the ball out behind the 3-point line and fired the buzzer-beater.
Gilroy trailed 10-7 after the first quarter and 18-17 at halftime.
Goldstein finished with eight points, Jonathan Lester, who along with Mercer spearheaded the Mustangs’ defense, added nine points, Spellman had five, Mercer seven and Fortino five.
The Mustangs (4-6) have now lost five straight games at the Bulldog Chase Tournament, dating back to the 2009-10 season, but will look to end that streak in the second round today at 4:30 p.m. in Morgan Hill.
• At the annual Seaside Sweet 16, strong second-half defense helped the Gilroy High girls basketball team separate itself from the host Spartans in a 44-30 victory in second round action Tuesday.
The game was tied at the half.
Kayla Guardino and Ashlee Williams each had 14 points to lead GHS. Athena Alarcon played well at the point position for the Mustangs, who continue the four-day tournament today with a 2 p.m. appointment with Oakmont High out of Roseville.
• In San Jose, the Christopher High girls basketball team held one-point halftime lead that fell by the wayside in a 50-29 loss to San Mateo in the first round of the Del Mar Tournament on Tuesday night.
The Cougars (7-3) led 19-18 at the half, before suffering through a difficult second half stretch. Freshman Olivia Tabron posted 18 of the Cougars 29 points. Junior Hanna Tabron record nine points.
The Cougars hit the court again today at 4:30 p.m. at Del Mar High.
